Earthquake today in Christchurch
Canterbury, New Zealand · checked 18:58 UTC
Was there an earthquake in Christchurch today?
No. No earthquake within this page's range of Christchurch has been recorded in the last 24 hours by the agencies this site follows (USGS and EMSC), as of 18:58 UTC.
"Today" here is the last 24 hours, ending now. Times are shown in UTC and in Christchurch's own time.
Earthquakes near Christchurch in the last 30 days
1 in the last 30 days. The largest was magnitude 4.0, 113 km N of Christchurch, on 16 October.
| Magnitude | Distance | When | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.0 | 113 km N | 16 October, 04:00 UTC (5:00 pm in Christchurch) | 8 km |
Which earthquakes this page counts
A small earthquake close by and a large one far away can both be what people in Christchurch notice, so one fixed circle would be wrong both ways. This page counts magnitude 6 or more within 800 km; magnitude 5 or more within 400 km; magnitude 4 or more within 200 km; any size within 100 km. That is this site's rule for what to list, not a statement that an earthquake was felt. The earthquakes are the ones the US Geological Survey (magnitude 2.5 and above) and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (magnitude 4 and above) have published; outside the United States, smaller earthquakes are often missing from both.
The largest earthquakes on record within 300 km
The USGS catalog holds 126 earthquakes of magnitude 5 or more within 300 km of Christchurch in the last 50 years. The largest since 1900:
- M7.8, 13 November 2016 — 95 km NNE of Christchurch (53 km NNE of Amberley, New Zealand)
- M7.3, 16 June 1929 — 177 km NNE of Christchurch (68 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand)
- M7.1, 23 May 1968 — 206 km NNW of Christchurch (38 km E of Westport, New Zealand)
- M7.0, 9 March 1929 — 63 km NNW of Christchurch (30 km NW of Amberley, New Zealand)
- M7.0, 3 September 2010 — 65 km W of Christchurch (19 km NE of Methven, New Zealand)
From the USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog, magnitude 6 and above. The catalog is most complete for recent decades. Search the full history near Christchurch →
If you felt it
Expect aftershocks, and stay away from damaged buildings. If you are indoors when shaking starts: drop, cover and hold on. This site does not issue warnings and earthquakes cannot be predicted — follow New Zealand's own authorities, listed on the New Zealand page. What to do before, during and after an earthquake →
Questions
Was there an earthquake in Christchurch today?
No. No earthquake within this page's range of Christchurch has been recorded in the last 24 hours by the agencies this site follows (USGS and EMSC), as of 18:58 UTC.
How many earthquakes have there been near Christchurch recently?
1 in the last 30 days. The largest was magnitude 4.0, 113 km N of Christchurch, on 16 October. This page counts magnitude 6 or more within 800 km; magnitude 5 or more within 400 km; magnitude 4 or more within 200 km; any size within 100 km.
How often are there strong earthquakes near Christchurch?
The USGS catalog holds 126 earthquakes of magnitude 5 or more within 300 km of Christchurch in the last 50 years. The catalog is most complete for recent decades; a low number is not a low hazard.
Where do official earthquake alerts for Christchurch come from?
From New Zealand's national seismological and disaster-management agencies, which are listed on this site's New Zealand page. This page collects what USGS and EMSC publish; it does not issue warnings, and earthquakes cannot be predicted.
Other cities in New Zealand
All cities · Earthquakes worldwide today · Earthquakes in New Zealand