M5.3 Depth: 10.0 km

M5.3 Earthquake near Fiordland Community, Southland (New Zealand)

UTC time: 2026-09-02 06:13:34 UTC Local time:
M5.3 earthquake near Fiordland Community on Sep 2, 2026 — map of epicenter and shaking intensity | QuakeMap24
M5.3 Earthquake near Fiordland Community, Southland (New Zealand) · 2026-09-02 06:13:34 UTC

About this earthquake

On September 2, 2026 at 06:13 UTC, a magnitude M5.3 earthquake occurred near Fiordland Community, Southland (New Zealand). With a focal depth of about 10 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The data is provided by USGS and cross-checked across seismological networks. New Zealand: 10 earthquakes were recorded in the past 24 hours, the strongest reaching M3.6.

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 10 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 10 km
Shallow
10 km
10 km — shallower than the regional average (69.3 km)
Regional average: 69.3 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

Estimated impact

Green No or minimal impact expected.
Estimated population exposed
IV 27'472
24 Felt reports · max reported intensity 4.1

Ground shaking

VI
Strong · Intensity (MMI) VI
Strongly felt, light building damage possible.

Tectonic context

Located on the Pacific Plate.
Near the boundary Australia ↔ Pacific · about 20 km away

Nearby population centers

Distances are straight-line distances from the epicenter. Population data: GeoNames.

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Invercargill219.9 kmS58'000
Dunedin237.4 kmSE132'800
Auckland1003.4 kmNE1'547'200

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 150 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours7
First 24 hours10
First 72 hours18
Strongest subsequent eventM5.2

Comparison of seismic sources

3 sources currently report magnitudes from M5.3 to M5.3.

Measurements can differ because agencies use different networks and calculation methods. Values may be revised.

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
USGSM5.310.0 km0.0 km
GFZM5.310.0 km21.9 km
EMSCM5.310.0 km2.7 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#3
Earlier events M≥424
Earlier events M≥52
Compared since2025-01-01

The QuakeMap24 comparison dataset begins on 2024-03-23. Earlier earthquakes may not be included.

Strongest earlier events

Historic earthquake map · New Zealand

Explore recent and long-term earthquake activity in this country. Use filters to narrow down by magnitude, depth, and date range.

Country statistics · New Zealand

View earthquake KPIs, strongest and latest events, and averages for this country.

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