M4.8 Earthquake 55 km E of Eltham, New Zealand — November 20, 2020
2020-11-20 12:43:14 UTC (2020-11-20) · approx. 12:43 AM UTC+12 local
On November 20, 2020 at 12:43 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 intermediate depth earthquake struck 55 km E of Eltham, New Zealand, at a depth of 140.6 km and coordinates -39.3955°, 174.9479°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 239 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.2 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in New Zealand, a region characterized by the Hikurangi subduction zone in the North Island and the Alpine Fault in the South Island. The nearest mapped fault system is the Alpine Fault. View all earthquakes in New Zealand.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
174.9479°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Eltham, New Zealand?
The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck 55 km E of Eltham, New Zealand on November 20, 2020 at 12:43 UTC had a depth of 140.6 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -39.3955°, 174.9479°, which is 55 km E of Eltham, New Zealand. View all earthquakes in New Zealand.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.8 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has New Zealand had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in New Zealand was the M8.2 Wairarapa earthquake of January 23, 1855. Today's magnitude 4.8 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000cqrw). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2020, November 20, 2020). M4.8 Earthquake 55 km E of Eltham, New Zealand — November 20, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2025 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000cqrw/