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M3.2 Depth: 5.0 km

M3.2 Earthquake near Westland District, West Coast (New Zealand)

UTC time: 2026-08-16 12:26:22 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

On August 16, 2026 at 12:26 UTC, a magnitude M3.2 earthquake occurred near Westland District, West Coast (New Zealand). With a focal depth of about 5 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Earthquakes of this magnitude are often felt but rarely cause damage.

The event was recorded by EMSC.

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 5 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 5 km
Shallow
5 km
5 km — shallower than the regional average (70.3 km)
Regional average: 70.3 km
Why depth matters

Shallow quakes release energy near the surface — shaking is felt more strongly and damage potential is higher.

Depth classes per USGS

Volcanoes nearby

  • Taranaki
    Distance: 488 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 2'518 m ·Last eruption: 1800 ·New Zealand

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