M 4.4 - off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand
December 20, 2002 at 03:47:14 UTC
Depth: 187.00 km (Intermediate)
Key Takeaway
This light earthquake (M4.4) occurred 23 years ago near off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand, at a depth of 187.00 km (intermediate).
Light
PAGER Alert
Tsunami
Felt Reports
Event Details
| Magnitude | 4.4 mb |
| Depth | 187.00 km (Intermediate) |
| Location | -36.9100S, 177.6600E |
| Tsunami Warning | No |
| Significance | 298 / 3000 |
| Status | Reviewed |
| Network | us |
| USGS Event Page | View on USGS → |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the magnitude of this earthquake?
This earthquake had a magnitude of 4.4, classified as "Light". Light earthquakes produce noticeable shaking but rarely cause damage.
How deep was this earthquake?
This earthquake occurred at a depth of 187.00 km, classified as "Intermediate". Intermediate-depth earthquakes are felt over a wider area but typically cause less surface damage than shallow events of the same magnitude.
Where exactly did this earthquake occur?
This earthquake occurred near off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand, at coordinates -36.9100S, 177.6600E. The location is determined by analyzing seismic wave arrival times at multiple monitoring stations.
Were there aftershocks associated with this event?
Aftershock data for this specific event can be explored by viewing nearby recent earthquakes listed below on this page. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that occur in the same area following a larger event, and they can continue for days, weeks, or even months depending on the original earthquake's magnitude.
What does the magnitude of this earthquake mean in practical terms?
A magnitude 4.4 earthquake is classified as "Light" — these are commonly felt by people indoors but rarely cause any significant damage.
Nearby Recent Earthquakes
130 km ENE of Tairua, New Zealand
23 years ago · 33.00 km deep
63 km WNW of Turangi, New Zealand
23 years ago · 262.00 km deep
120 km ENE of Tairua, New Zealand
23 years ago · 12.00 km deep
48 km NE of Maketu, New Zealand
23 years ago · 160.00 km deep
53 km NNE of Whakatane, New Zealand
23 years ago · 143.00 km deep
7 km WSW of Taupo, New Zealand
23 years ago · 115.00 km deep
off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand
23 years ago · 33.00 km deep
297 km NE of Opotiki, New Zealand
23 years ago · 114.80 km deep
off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand
23 years ago · 33.00 km deep
41 km NNE of Opotiki, New Zealand
23 years ago · 60.00 km deep
More Earthquakes in off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand
off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand
1 year ago · 35.00 km deep
off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand
2 years ago · 25.63 km deep
off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand
3 years ago · 115.51 km deep
off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand
3 years ago · 101.11 km deep
off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand
3 years ago · 35.00 km deep
off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand
3 years ago · 54.02 km deep
off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand
4 years ago · 10.00 km deep
off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand
4 years ago · 89.14 km deep
More M4.0-5.0 Earthquakes
21 km ENE of Sallique, Peru
41 minutes ago · 41.95 km deep
16 km SSE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia
8 hours ago · 79.51 km deep
2 km SSE of Santa María Ixhuatán, Guatemala
9 hours ago · 10.00 km deep
148 km SSE of Vilyuchinsk, Russia
9 hours ago · 35.00 km deep
17 km ESE of Manay, Philippines
11 hours ago · 80.55 km deep
northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge
13 hours ago · 10.00 km deep
61 km SSW of Ashkāsham, Afghanistan
13 hours ago · 101.97 km deep
74 km W of Bandar Abbas, Iran
13 hours ago · 10.00 km deep
Data from the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (ComCat). QuakeScan is not affiliated with the USGS. Event details may be updated as new data becomes available.