M4.2 earthquake — 38 km NE of Castlepoint, New Zealand
An magnitude 4.2 earthquake occurred 38 km NE of Castlepoint, New Zealand on Oct 19, 2026 at 17:27 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 24 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 | 23.6 km |
| Coordinates | -40.619, 176.491 |
| Time | Oct 19, 17:27 UTC |
| Location | 38 km NE of Castlepoint, New Zealand |
| USGS event ID | us6000u3fp |
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.