M4.9 earthquake — Kermadec Islands, New Zealand
An magnitude 4.9 earthquake occurred Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on Sep 16, 2026 at 20:03 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 35 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 | M4.9 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 35.0 km |
| Coordinates | -30.215, -177.593 |
| Time | Sep 16, 20:03 UTC |
| Location | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand |
| USGS event ID | us7000thxb |
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.
Nearby recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Distance | Time (UTC) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.9 | 294 km | Sep 11, 15:44 UTC | south of the Kermadec Islands |
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.