M4.9 Earthquake south of the Kermadec Islands — April 30, 2026
2026-04-30 06:40:48 UTC (2 hours ago) · approx. 6:40 PM UTC-12 local
Aftershock of the M5.1 mainshock.
On April 30, 2026 at 06:40 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck south of the Kermadec Islands, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -32.0637°, -178.0356°. This earthquake was detected by 31 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 369, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.4 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 5.1 mainshock that occurred 10 days ago south of the Kermadec Islands. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 5 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
-178.0356°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake south of the Kermadec Islands?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck south of the Kermadec Islands on April 30, 2026 at 06:40 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -32.0637°, -178.0356°, which is south of the Kermadec Islands.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.9 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.1 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.9 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.1 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: us7000sh70). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, April 30, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake south of the Kermadec Islands — April 30, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000sh70/