M4.8 Earthquake 119 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand — October 14, 2024
2024-10-14 16:01:26 UTC (2024-10-14) · approx. 4:01 AM UTC+12 local
On October 14, 2024 at 16:01 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 intermediate depth earthquake struck 119 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand, at a depth of 256.0 km and coordinates -36.7174°, 177.1498°. This earthquake was detected by 51 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 354, placing it among routine seismic activity.
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
177.1498°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Pauanui, New Zealand?
The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck 119 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand on October 14, 2024 at 16:01 UTC had a depth of 256.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -36.7174°, 177.1498°, which is 119 km ENE of Pauanui, 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: us6000nymi). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, October 14, 2024). M4.8 Earthquake 119 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand — October 14, 2024. Retrieved December 26, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000nymi/