Earthquake · Reviewed by USGS

M4.2 earthquake 38 km NNE of Castlepoint, New Zealand

A magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck 38 km NNE of Castlepoint, New Zealand at Dec 3, 2025, 23:17 UTC, at a depth of 26 km. The epicentre was 71 km (44 mi) ESE of Palmerston North.

Details

Magnitude	4.2 mwr
Time	Dec 3, 2025, 23:17 UTC
Depth	25.9 km
Coordinates	-40.583, 176.394
Felt reports	0
Tsunami flag	None
Source	USGS event page

Fig. 1The epicentre and other earthquakes within 100 km, since the day before

01 — Nearby

Nearest cities

02 — Around it

Other earthquakes within 100 km

Other earthquakes within 100 km since the day before this event
Magnitude	Location	Distance	Depth	Time
4.2	38 km NE of Castlepoint, New Zealand	9 km / 6 mi	depth 24 km	Oct 19, 17:27 UTC
4.2	25 km SSE of Pahiatua, New Zealand	43 km / 27 mi	depth 32 km	Oct 12, 06:52 UTC
4.0	5 km NNE of Mangatainoka, New Zealand	49 km / 30 mi	depth 49 km	Sep 27, 10:32 UTC
4.0	9 km WNW of Solway, New Zealand	84 km / 52 mi	depth 26 km	Sep 21, 09:23 UTC
4.3	45 km ESE of Castlepoint, New Zealand	59 km / 37 mi	depth 10 km	Jun 17, 11:41 UTC
4.2	32 km E of Dannevirke, New Zealand	41 km / 26 mi	depth 27 km	May 10, 00:44 UTC
4.4	24 km ENE of Dannevirke, New Zealand	49 km / 31 mi	depth 43 km	Apr 26, 16:07 UTC
4.4	70 km ESE of Dannevirke, New Zealand	45 km / 28 mi	depth 37 km	Apr 14, 13:48 UTC
4.3	29 km NNW of Castlepoint, New Zealand	23 km / 14 mi	depth 21 km	Jan 13, 10:21 UTC
4.0	30 km NNW of Castlepoint, New Zealand	23 km / 14 mi	depth 23 km	Dec 26, 03:06 UTC
4.5	25 km NNW of Castlepoint, New Zealand	26 km / 16 mi	depth 26 km	Dec 25, 18:16 UTC
4.0	3 km E of Mangatainoka, New Zealand	46 km / 28 mi	depth 38 km	Dec 15, 12:05 UTC
4.5	32 km ESE of Mangatainoka, New Zealand	17 km / 10 mi	depth 20 km	Dec 3, 22:47 UTC

USGS can revise magnitude and location after the first report. See magnitude vs intensity and aftershocks.