M4.5 Earthquake 32 km ESE of Mangatainoka, New Zealand — December 3, 2025
2025-12-03 22:47:13 UTC (2025-12-03) · approx. 10:47 AM UTC+12 local
Felt by 1 person across nearby locations.
On December 3, 2025 at 22:47 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck 32 km ESE of Mangatainoka, New Zealand, at a depth of 19.7 km and coordinates -40.5048°, 176.2241°. This earthquake was detected by 26 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — 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 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
176.2241°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Mangatainoka, New Zealand?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 32 km ESE of Mangatainoka, New Zealand on December 3, 2025 at 22:47 UTC had a depth of 19.7 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -40.5048°, 176.2241°, which is 32 km ESE of Mangatainoka, New Zealand. View all earthquakes in New Zealand.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 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 4.5 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: us7000rfew). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 3, 2025). M4.5 Earthquake 32 km ESE of Mangatainoka, New Zealand — December 3, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rfew/