M4.2 earthquake — 25 km SSE of Pahiatua, New Zealand
An magnitude 4.2 earthquake occurred 25 km SSE of Pahiatua, New Zealand on Oct 12, 2026 at 06:52 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 32 km — a shallow earthquake. Shallow quakes concentrate their energy near the surface, so they tend to produce stronger shaking close to the epicenter.
Event data
| Magnitude | M4.2 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 32.3 km |
| Coordinates | -40.677, 175.900 |
| Time | Oct 12, 06:52 UTC |
| Location | 25 km SSE of Pahiatua, New Zealand |
| USGS event ID | us6000u1q8 |
What this magnitude typically means
Light earthquakes are felt by most people nearby but rarely cause damage. Distance, depth, and soil type determine whether a quake feels sharp or barely noticeable. Tremor does not compute a single local shaking figure here, because how strong a quake feels at any address depends on distance, depth and local geology — open the interactive globe to explore the ShakeMap and estimated intensity.
Earthquake activity in this area
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.