M4.6 Earthquake south of the Kermadec Islands — May 16, 2026
2026-05-16 01:22:16 UTC (1 day ago) · approx. 1:22 PM UTC-12 local
Aftershock of the M5.2 mainshock.
On May 16, 2026 at 01:22 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck south of the Kermadec Islands, at a depth of 35.0 km and coordinates -32.5550°, -178.5946°. This earthquake was detected by 14 seismic stations with moderate location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 326, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 120 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 899 m — 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 5.2 mainshock that occurred 26 days ago south of the Kermadec Islands. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 7 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
-178.5946°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake south of the Kermadec Islands?
The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck south of the Kermadec Islands on May 16, 2026 at 01:22 UTC had a depth of 35.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -32.5550°, -178.5946°, which is south of the Kermadec Islands.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.6 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.2 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.6 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.2 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: us6000sy4v). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 16, 2026). M4.6 Earthquake south of the Kermadec Islands — May 16, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sy4v/