M3.1 Depth: 169.3 km

M3.1 Earthquake near South Waikato District, Waikato (New Zealand)

UTC time: 2026-08-16 22:12:39 UTC Local time:

About this earthquake

On August 16, 2026 at 22:12 UTC, a magnitude M3.1 earthquake occurred near South Waikato District, Waikato (New Zealand). The earthquake originated at an intermediate depth of about 169 km. Shaking of this size is frequently noticed but usually harmless.

The data is provided by EMSC and cross-checked across seismological networks.

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 169.3 km (Intermediate) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 169.3 km
Intermediate
169.3 km
169.3 km — deeper than the regional average (70.5 km)
Regional average: 70.5 km
Why depth matters

Intermediate-depth quakes are felt across a wider area but usually cause less surface damage.

Depth classes per USGS

Volcanoes nearby

  • Taupo
    Distance: 50 km ·Caldera ·Elevation: 760 m ·Last eruption: 260 ·New Zealand
  • Okataina
    Distance: 52 km ·Lava dome(s) ·Elevation: 1'111 m ·Last eruption: 1981 ·New Zealand
  • Tongariro
    Distance: 95 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 1'978 m ·Last eruption: 2012 ·New Zealand
  • Ruapehu
    Distance: 110 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 2'797 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·New Zealand
  • Tuhua/Mayor Island
    Distance: 120 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 355 m ·Last eruption: -5055 ·New Zealand
  • Whakaari/White Island
    Distance: 141 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 294 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·New Zealand

Historic earthquake map · New Zealand

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Country statistics · New Zealand

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