Earthquakes in New Zealand — December 2024
11 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during December 2024, an average of 0.4 per day.
10 reached magnitude 4 or above and 2 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 93 km.
The month's largest event in New Zealand was a magnitude 5.2 earthquake near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 11 December 2024 at 20:57 UTC. A magnitude 5.2 earthquake radiates roughly 951 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is close to the New Zealand monthly average of 9 events over the period we cover, and up from the 6 recorded the previous month.
55% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 45% 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, 8 in the magnitude 4 range, 2 in the magnitude 5 range.
Activity peaked on 17 December, when 2 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M5.2 near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 11 December at 49 km; M5.2 near Wainui, New Zealand on 14 December at 10 km; M4.8 near Maketu, New Zealand on 17 December at 198 km.
That is 23% above the 9 events New Zealand averages per month across the 22 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in New Zealand, December 2024
11 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.2 | Wainui, New Zealand | 10.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 5.2 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 49.1 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.8 | Maketu, New Zealand | 198.4 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.7 | Riverton, New Zealand | 10.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.7 | Hicks Bay, New Zealand | 83.6 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Witherlea, New Zealand | 25.9 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Pauanui, New Zealand | 288.8 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Fiordland Community, New Zealand | 85.6 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.2 | Kohuratahi, New Zealand | 219.1 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.2 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 35.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 3.6 | Martinborough Community, New Zealand | 19.2 | New Zealand | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit New Zealand in December 2024?
11 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during December 2024, of which 10 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in New Zealand in December 2024?
A magnitude 5.2 event near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 11 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.