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NZ · Place
Christchurch earthquake: today and 2011
Check recent earthquakes near Christchurch by radius and date. See where the February 2011 earthquake began and open GeoNet's shaking map for Canterbury.
Christchurch · NZ · GeoNames 2192362 · Search radius: 100 km
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Latest earthquakes
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No known events in this window
This describes the available catalogue, not an all-clear. Try a longer period or check the latest known event below.
The last 30 days
- Latest recorded earthquake
- No records in 30 days
- Strongest in 30 days
- No records in 30 days
- Earthquakes in the catalogue
- 0USGS
- Magnitude 4.5 or larger
- 0M ≥ 4.5
Earthquakes within 100 km of Christchurch. Data from USGS, updated automatically. This is not a warning; official alerts come from national authorities. Times are shown in New Zealand time (NZST/NZDT).
Christchurch and the Canterbury earthquakes
The Canterbury sequence
The 4 September 2010 Darfield earthquake (M7.0) revealed a previously unknown fault under the Canterbury Plains. Its aftershock sequence included the shallow 22 February 2011 earthquake beneath the Port Hills, which killed 185 people and destroyed much of the central city.
Liquefaction in the east
Sandy, water-saturated soils in the eastern suburbs liquefied repeatedly in 2010–2011. Large parts of the Avon River corridor were later cleared of homes (the former residential red zone).
Alpine Fault and Kaikōura
The Alpine Fault, about 130 km to the north-west, is expected to produce a large earthquake in the coming decades. The 2016 Kaikōura earthquake (M7.8) was felt strongly in Christchurch.
Recent earthquakes and the 2011 Christchurch earthquake
For a tremor you just felt in Christchurch, compare the recent list with GeoNet and check its Felt Report Map for reports from Canterbury. Extend the date range when you are looking for a sequence of earlier events.
For the historical event on 22 February 2011, GeoNet locates the epicentre approximately 5 km southeast of Christchurch at a depth of 5 km and lists magnitude 6.2. Its Shaking Layers Map shows how ground motion varied around the city and the surrounding area.
Major earthquakes
Notable earthquakes near Christchurch in the USGS catalogue (NZ dates):
- 6.1Mww
- 7.0Mwc
- 7.8Mww
- 7.0Mw
Drop, Cover, Hold
During shaking: drop, cover and hold. On the coast, including New Brighton and Sumner, if an earthquake is long or strong, move inland or to high ground straight away.
GeoNet publishes the official record and felt reports; its magnitude for 22 February 2011 is 6.2, the USGS lists 6.1.
Frequently asked questions
Was there an earthquake in Christchurch today?
The first panel shows the latest earthquake within 100 km of Christchurch in the catalogue, in NZ time. GeoNet publishes the official record; magnitudes can differ slightly.
I felt shaking in Christchurch but it is not listed — why?
Small earthquakes can take a few minutes to appear, and an earthquake felt in Christchurch may be more than 100 km away. Widen the radius, compare the time, and check GeoNet’s felt reports.
Why was the 2011 Christchurch earthquake so destructive?
It was shallow and centred only a few kilometres from the city, with very strong vertical shaking, and it hit buildings already weakened in 2010.
Latest known event
Latest known event · Pacific/Auckland
Sources and coverage
Source: USGS · GeoNames · CC BY 4.0 · Natural Earth
The location is the reported epicentre. Offshore context is separate from a position inside a country. Small-event coverage varies by region.
Historical context
The historical catalogue includes USGS M6+ from 1900, M4.5+ from 1970 and delivered events since the project began. It is not a complete record of all small earthquakes.
Christchurch · NZ · Pacific/Auckland · 419,200 · GeoNames 2192362