Shakes of 4.9 magnitude intensely hit the south region of New Zealand's North Island.
On August 13, 2025, a magnitude 4.9 earthquake shook New Zealand's lower North Island, specifically around 20 km south of Hastings in the Hawkes Bay region[1]. The quake occurred at a depth of 30 km, and was felt by approximately 6,000 people who reported it on the GeoNet website[1].
This region, known for its seismic activity, is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity[1]. The country's geological sciences agency, GeoNet, rated the quake as moderate[1]. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of damage following the earthquake[1].
Recent seismic activity in the lower North Island has shown clusters of earthquakes, with at least 34 quakes recorded in one week near Castlepoint, the strongest being a magnitude 4.2 at about 20 km depth[2]. This pattern suggests an ongoing geophysical process, where stress from one quake triggers subsequent ones, often related to subduction zone tectonics[2].
Historically, large earthquakes (magnitude 7 and above) in this region have been clustered in time and location across faults such as the Wairarapa, Wellington, Ōhāriu, and Hikurangi subduction zones[3][5]. A recent study using paleoseismic data and historical records spanning 5,500 years indicates that about two-thirds of large quakes are temporally linked, showing interactions between nearby faults[3][5].
In the past, large earthquakes in this region have had devastating consequences. For example, a major earthquake in 1931 in the same region killed 256 people[1]. While the August 2025 quake was relatively small compared to this event, it serves as a reminder of the region's seismic activity and the importance of being prepared for future events.
In conclusion, the August 2025 magnitude 4.9 quake fits into a pattern of frequent moderate seismicity in a tectonically active region with a history of clustered large earthquakes, reflective of complex fault interactions and ongoing subduction processes in New Zealand's lower North Island[1][2][3][5].
[1] GeoNet (2025). Earthquake M4.9, 2025-08-13, 18:00:00, 40.076, 176.784, 30 km. [Online]. Available: https://www.geonet.org.nz/quake/483234-20250813180000 [2] GNS Science (2025). Castlepoint earthquakes: A swarm of seismic activity in the Wairarapa. [Online]. Available: https://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/News-and-Events/News/2025/Castlepoint-earthquakes-A-swarm-of-seismic-activity-in-the-Wairarapa [3] GNS Science (2021). New Zealand's earthquake history. [Online]. Available: https://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/News-and-Events/News/2021/New-Zealand-s-earthquake-history [4] New Zealand Herald (2021). 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake: The tragic story of New Zealand's deadliest disaster. [Online]. Available: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12314404 [5] Wilson, J.P. (2018). Seismic hazard in New Zealand: Past, present, and future. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325384489_Seismic_hazard_in_New_Zealand_Past_present_and_future
Read also:
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Proposed Standardization of Food Labeling Laws Among Member States by the Commission
- Current News: AfD Achieves 26% - Union Dips to Laschet's Level
