Magnitude 5.6 earthquake — Kermadec Islands region
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck the Kermadec Islands region at 16:11 UTC on 13 August 2026, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The event was located near 28.674° south, 176.312° west and had a reported depth of 10 kilometres. The Kermadec Islands lie in a remote, seismically active part of the south-west Pacific, along the boundary where the Pacific Plate descends beneath the Australian Plate.
The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System, using the USGS/NEIC event record, assessed the likely humanitarian impact as low and assigned a green alert. Its assessment showed no exposed population in the immediate modelled area, consistent with the offshore and sparsely inhabited location. Available reporting does not indicate casualties or damage associated with the earthquake; initial earthquake parameters can be revised as monitoring agencies review additional seismic data.
- USGS recorded a magnitude 5.6 earthquake in the Kermadec Islands region on 13 August 2026.
- The quake occurred at 16:11 UTC at a depth of about 10 kilometres.
- Impact was assessed as low because the epicentral area is remote and offshore.
More coverage