M5.6 Earthquake south of the Kermadec Islands — May 6, 2026
2026-05-06 11:46:48 UTC (2 hours ago) · approx. 11:46 PM UTC-12 local
Maximum shaking intensity MMI 6.0 (strong). Aftershock of the M5.9 mainshock.
On May 6, 2026 at 11:46 UTC, a magnitude 5.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck south of the Kermadec Islands, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -32.1671°, -177.9339°. The USGS PAGER system issued a green alert level for this event, indicating no significant casualties or damage expected. This earthquake was detected by 53 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 482, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.6 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 4 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 4.4 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.9 mainshock that occurred 18 days ago south of the Kermadec Islands. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 18 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
ShakeMap — predicted shaking intensity
Modeled ground-motion intensity contoured on the Modified Mercalli scale (MMI). Computed by the USGS from the moment-tensor solution and regional ground-motion prediction equations.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey ShakeMap. View interactive ShakeMap on USGS
Earthquake Details
-177.9339°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.6 earthquake south of the Kermadec Islands?
The magnitude 5.6 earthquake that struck south of the Kermadec Islands on May 6, 2026 at 11:46 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 -32.1671°, -177.9339°, which is south of the Kermadec Islands.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.6 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.9 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 5.6 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.9 mainshock that occurred earlier south of the Kermadec Islands. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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: us6000svmz). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 6, 2026). M5.6 Earthquake south of the Kermadec Islands — May 6, 2026. Retrieved May 6, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000svmz/