M5.3 earthquake — 43 km SSE of Otorohanga, New Zealand
A moderate magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred 43 km SSE of Otorohanga, New Zealand on Oct 15, 2026 at 05:25 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 286 km — an intermediate-depth earthquake. Intermediate quakes spread their energy over a wider area and are often felt across a broad region.
Event data
| Magnitude | M5.3 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 286.0 km |
| Coordinates | -38.548, 175.381 |
| Time | Oct 15, 05:25 UTC |
| Location | 43 km SSE of Otorohanga, New Zealand |
| USGS event ID | us6000u2ev |
What this magnitude typically means
Moderate earthquakes are widely felt and can cause light damage close to the epicenter. The shaking you actually experience depends on how far away you are and what kind of ground you are on. 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.
Nearby recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Distance | Time (UTC) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.2 | 241 km | Oct 12, 06:52 UTC | 25 km SSE of Pahiatua, New Zealand |
| M4.3 | 263 km | Oct 11, 00:40 UTC | 24 km WNW of Hicks Bay, New Zealand |
Earthquake activity in this area
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.