M5.3 Earthquake 198 km W of Riverton, New Zealand — February 2, 2026
2026-02-02 08:15:42 UTC (2026-02-02) · approx. 7:15 PM UTC+11 local
Felt by 3 people across nearby locations.
On February 2, 2026 at 08:15 UTC, a magnitude 5.3 shallow crustal earthquake struck 198 km W of Riverton, New Zealand, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -46.6250°, 165.4663°. This earthquake was detected by 72 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 433, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 1 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.7 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
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from 3 citizen responses to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Each colored zone represents the average MMI from reports in that area.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey Did You Feel It?. View on USGS · submit your own report
Earthquake Details
165.4663°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Riverton, New Zealand?
The magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck 198 km W of Riverton, New Zealand on February 2, 2026 at 08:15 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -46.6250°, 165.4663°, which is 198 km W of Riverton, New Zealand. View all earthquakes in New Zealand.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.3 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks 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 5.3 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000s5x6). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, February 2, 2026). M5.3 Earthquake 198 km W of Riverton, New Zealand — February 2, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000s5x6/