Real-time earthquake monitor ·
USGS data
This moderate M5.0 earthquake was a shallow-focus event, striking at 45 km beneath Hicks Bay, New Zealand. Moderate earthquakes are widely felt and can cause light damage near the epicenter, particularly to older or unreinforced structures.
At 45 km depth, this falls within the shallow-focus category. The relatively near-surface location means shaking at the epicenter may be more intense than deeper events of comparable magnitude.