Latest earthquakes near Otago, New Zealand today
Complete overview of the latest earthquakes near Otago, New Zealand, updated every minute. Did you feel an earthquake today in Otago? If an earthquake is happening right now near Otago, it will show up within minutes.
Recent Otago Earthquake News
These are the latest articles published related to earthquakes occurring near Otago. Check our Earthquake News section for a complete overview of articles written on earthquakes near Otago and elsewhere.
Jul 16, 2026 09:14PM
On Thursday Evening a Significant M5.9 Earthquake struck 161km from Invercargill in New Zealand.
Otago Earthquake Statistics
Average
A total of 168 earthquakes with a magnitude of four or above have struck within 300 km (186 mi) of Otago, New Zealand in the past 10 years. This comes down to a yearly average of 16 earthquakes per year, or 1 per month. On average an earthquake will hit near Otago roughly every 21 days.
A relatively large number of earthquakes occurred near Otago in 2020. A total of 23 earthquakes (mag 4+) were detected within 300 km of Otago that year. The strongest had a 5.6 magnitude.
Magnitude Distribution
The table below visualizes the distribution of all earthquakes that occurred within 300km of Otago in the past 10 years. No earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 or above have occurred near Otago during this time. Usually, higher magnitudes are less common than lower magnitudes. Small earthquakes with a magnitude below 4 on the Richter scale have been omitted from this overview.
| Magnitude | Earthquakes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Mag. 4 | 162 | 96.43% |
| Mag. 5 | 6 | 3.57% |
| Mag. 6 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Mag. 7 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Mag. 8 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Mag. 9 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Mag. 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
Strongest earthquakes near Otago
The strongest recent earthquake of the past 10 years near Otago occurred on Jul 16, 2026 21:14 local time (Pacific/Auckland timezone). It had a magnitude of 5.9 and struck 244 kilometers (152 mi) west of Dunedin, at a depth of 76 km. Discover more strong earthquakes near Otago in the list below.
A longer time ago, a MAG-7.2 earthquake struck on Aug 22, 2003 00:12, 276 kilometers (171 mi) west of Dunedin. It is the strongest earthquake near Otago in the past 126 years (Our data goes back to January 1st, 1900).
In the table below you will find the strongest earthquakes that occurred near Otago, New Zealand in the past 10 years. You can use the tabs to find the heaviest historic earthquakes since the year 1900 or within a specific year or distance from Otago.
Earthquakes by city in Otago
Click the links below for earthquake reports for major places in Otago, New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions are commonly asked in relation to earthquakes occurring near Otago.
When was the last earthquake in Otago, New Zealand?
A 3.6 magnitude earthquake hit near Otago on the afternoon of July 23, 2026 at 14:16 local time (Pacific/Auckland). The center of this earthquake was located 199km north of Dunedin at a depth of 5km under land. Check the list on our website for any earthquakes occurring near Otago, New Zealand in the past hours.
What was the strongest earthquake near Otago, New Zealand?
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit near Otago on the night of August 22, 2003 at 00:12 local time (Pacific/Auckland). The center of this earthquake was located 276km west-northwest of Dunedin at a depth of 28km under land. This is the strongest earthquake that occurred near Otago since the year 1900.
How often do earthquakes occur near Otago, New Zealand?
In the past 10 years, 168 earthquakes with a magnitude of four or higher occurred within a 300 kilometer range from Otago. This averages to 17 earthquakes yearly, or one earthquake every 22 days.
