Latest earthquakes near Dunedin, Otago today
Complete overview of the latest earthquakes near Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand, updated every minute. Did you feel an earthquake today in Dunedin? If an earthquake is happening right now near Dunedin, it will show up within minutes.
Recent Dunedin Earthquake News
These are the latest articles published related to earthquakes occurring near Dunedin. Check our Earthquake News section for a complete overview of articles written on earthquakes near Dunedin and elsewhere.
Jul 16, 2026 09:14PM
On Thursday Evening a Significant M5.9 Earthquake struck 164km from Invercargill in New Zealand.
Dunedin Earthquake Statistics
Average
A total of 170 earthquakes with a magnitude of four or above have struck within 300 km (186 mi) of Dunedin, Otago in the past 10 years. This comes down to a yearly average of 17 earthquakes per year, or 1 per month. On average an earthquake will hit near Dunedin roughly every 21 days.
A relatively large number of earthquakes occurred near Dunedin in 2020. A total of 23 earthquakes (mag 4+) were detected within 300 km of Dunedin 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 Dunedin in the past 10 years. No earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 or above have occurred near Dunedin 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 | 164 | 96.47% |
| Mag. 5 | 6 | 3.53% |
| 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 Dunedin
The strongest recent earthquake of the past 10 years near Dunedin occurred on Jul 16, 2026 21:14 local time (Pacific/Auckland timezone). It had a magnitude of 5.9 and struck 249 kilometers (155 mi) west of Dunedin, at a depth of 74 km. Discover more strong earthquakes near Dunedin 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 Dunedin 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 Dunedin, Otago 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 Dunedin.
Nearest earthquakes from Dunedin
These are the earthquakes with their epicenter nearest to Dunedin, Otago. You can use the buttons to find nearby earthquakes for a specific year or with a specific magnitude.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions are commonly asked in relation to earthquakes occurring near Dunedin.
When was the last earthquake in Dunedin, Otago?
A 4.1 magnitude earthquake hit near Dunedin on the evening of August 16, 2026 at 20:32 local time (Pacific/Auckland). The center of this earthquake was located 250km west of Dunedin at a depth of 56km under land. Check the list on our website for any earthquakes occurring near Dunedin, Otago in the past hours.
What was the strongest earthquake near Dunedin, Otago?
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit near Dunedin 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 Dunedin since the year 1900.
How often do earthquakes occur near Dunedin, Otago?
In the past 10 years, 170 earthquakes with a magnitude of four or higher occurred within a 300 kilometer range from Dunedin. This averages to 17 earthquakes yearly, or one earthquake every 21 days.
