M4.0 Earthquake 44 km SE of Witherlea, New Zealand — February 3, 2026
2026-02-03 23:35:30 UTC (2026-02-03) · approx. 11:35 AM UTC+12 local
On February 3, 2026 at 23:35 UTC, a magnitude 4.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck 44 km SE of Witherlea, New Zealand, at a depth of 18.0 km and coordinates -41.7558°, 174.3831°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 15 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 347 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from 1 citizen response 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
174.3831°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.0 earthquake near Witherlea, New Zealand?
The magnitude 4.0 earthquake that struck 44 km SE of Witherlea, New Zealand on February 3, 2026 at 23:35 UTC had a depth of 18.0 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 4.0 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
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.
Actions
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.0 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000s6am). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, February 3, 2026). M4.0 Earthquake 44 km SE of Witherlea, New Zealand — February 3, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000s6am/