4.2

M4.2 Earthquake south of the Kermadec IslandsNovember 14, 2023

2023-11-14 20:55:36 UTC (2023-11-14) · approx. 8:55 AM UTC-12 local

MagnitudeM4.2(mb)
Time20:55 UTC8:55 AM UTC-12
Depth42.2 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates-33.325°, -179.099°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On November 14, 2023 at 20:55 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 shallow crustal earthquake struck south of the Kermadec Islands, at a depth of 42.2 km and coordinates -33.3254°, -179.0989°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -33.33°, -179.10°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.2 mb
Depth
42.2 km
shallow crustal
Location
-33.3254°N
-179.0989°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000lp6a
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
271
Stations Used
16
Azimuthal Gap
120.0°
Min Station Distance
4.174°
RMS Residual
0.67 sec
Last Updated
2024-01-26 16:37:50 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake south of the Kermadec Islands?

The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck south of the Kermadec Islands on November 14, 2023 at 20:55 UTC had a depth of 42.2 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.2 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Understanding This Data

Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.

Learn more about magnitude →

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000lp6a). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, November 14, 2023). M4.2 Earthquake south of the Kermadec IslandsNovember 14, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000lp6a/