A New Zealand earthquake occurs between latitudes 50°S and 32°S and longitudes 163°E and 175°W (SeisComP definition).
Limitations of the data
Please note that many of the quakes in this dataset occurred at sea.
Inclusions
Statistical analysis was restricted to earthquakes with a magnitude greater than or equal to 4.0, as the geometry of the recording networks in the earlier years was not capable of detecting every earthquake lower than this magnitude.
From the dataset GeoNet Earthquake Statistics February 2026, this data was extracted:
Sheet: Sheet1
Range: B3:G69
Provided: 396 data points
Dataset originally released on:
February 2026
About this dataset
The following statistics on the frequency and magnitude of New Zealand region earthquakes are based on observations since 1960. Statistical analysis was restricted to earthquakes with a magnitude greater than or equal to 4.0, as the geometry of the recording networks in the earlier years was not capable of detecting every earthquake lower than this magnitude.
Purpose of collection
The US Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program displays Worldwide Earthquake Facts and Statistics, located by the USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC). This includes a table illustrating the relationship between changing magnitude, and ground motion and energy.