Earthquakes in New Zealand — December 2024
5 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during December 2024, an average of 0.2 per day.
4 reached magnitude 4 or above and 0 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 110 km.
The month's largest event in New Zealand was a magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Maketu, New Zealand on 17 December 2024 at 15:44 UTC. A magnitude 4.8 earthquake radiates roughly 239 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
40% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 60% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). A substantial share of intermediate-depth events points to a subducting slab beneath the region rather than purely crustal faulting.
By band, the catalogue holds 1 in the magnitude 3 range, 4 in the magnitude 4 range.
Activity peaked on 17 December, when 2 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M4.8 near Maketu, New Zealand on 17 December at 198 km; M4.5 near Witherlea, New Zealand on 17 December at 26 km; M4.4 near Fiordland Community, New Zealand on 02 December at 86 km.
This month also holds the strongest earthquake recorded in New Zealand in our entire catalogue.
Every earthquake in New Zealand, December 2024
5 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 | Kohuratahi, New Zealand | 219.1 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.8 | Maketu, New Zealand | 198.4 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Witherlea, New Zealand | 25.9 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 3.6 | Martinborough Community, New Zealand | 19.2 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Fiordland Community, New Zealand | 85.6 | New Zealand | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit New Zealand in December 2024?
5 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during December 2024, of which 4 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in New Zealand in December 2024?
A magnitude 4.8 event near Maketu, New Zealand on 17 December 2024.
Other months in New Zealand
Magnitudes for December 2024 reflect the current USGS review status and may have been revised since first publication. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.