M 4.5 - off the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand

Name: M 4.5 - off the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand
Start: 2003-11-02T09:01:15+00:00
Location: off the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand

November 2, 2003 at 09:01:15 UTC

Depth: 10.00 km (Shallow)

Key Takeaway

This light earthquake (M4.5) occurred 22 years ago near off the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand, at a depth of 10.00 km (shallow).

M 4.5

Light

N/A

PAGER Alert

Tsunami

N/A

Felt Reports

Event Details

Magnitude	4.5 mb
Depth	10.00 km (Shallow)
Location	-45.0770S, 166.6950E
Tsunami Warning	No
Significance	312 / 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 4.5, classified as "Light". Light earthquakes produce noticeable shaking but rarely cause damage.

How deep was this earthquake?

This earthquake occurred at a depth of 10.00 km, classified as "Shallow". Shallow earthquakes tend to cause more damage at the surface because the energy has less distance to travel before reaching buildings and infrastructure.

Where exactly did this earthquake occur?

This earthquake occurred near off the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand, at coordinates -45.0770S, 166.6950E. 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 4.5 earthquake is classified as "Light" — these are commonly felt by people indoors but rarely cause any significant damage.

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