Global · Geophysical
Global Seismicity
ElevatedSignificant earthquakes worldwide, tracked live as a measure of current global seismic activity.
- Likelihood
- Constant background; large events several times a year
- Impact
- Severe regionally; global via supply chains
- Horizon
- Continuous
Reading live feed…
Background
What this actually is
The planet produces roughly 15,000 M4+ earthquakes a year, around 15 M7+ events, and about one M8+ per year on average. The live count on this dashboard shows M4.5+ activity in the last 24 hours from the USGS feed.
Elevated counts are usually aftershock sequences rather than a global trend — earthquakes cluster in time and space near a mainshock. Global seismicity rates are stable over long periods.
What makes distant earthquakes matter to New Zealand is economics and tsunami. A major event in a manufacturing region disrupts supply chains globally, and any large subduction-zone event around the Pacific Rim can generate a tsunami that reaches NZ within hours.
Aotearoa
What it means for New Zealand
Distant-source tsunami from South America, Japan, the Kermadec Trench or the Tonga Trench are monitored by NEMA with hours of lead time. NZ's manufacturing and vehicle imports are concentrated in seismically active countries.
Watch for
Early warning signs
- USGS significant earthquake alerts
- Pacific Tsunami Warning Center bulletins
- NEMA national advisory or warning for NZ coastlines
Action
How to prepare
- 01
For distant-source tsunami there is time — follow official NEMA instructions and stay off the beach
- 02
General preparedness applies; distant quakes reach NZ as economic effects
Go deeper
Where to find more information
In an emergency
New Zealand's official channels
- Get Ready — household preparedness
- Civil Defence / NEMA
- GeoNet — quakes, volcanoes, tsunami
- MetService severe weather warnings
In a life-threatening emergency call 111. RNZ National is New Zealand's designated lifeline broadcaster — keep a battery radio.
Connected
Related threats
Get prepared
Want to do something useful with this information?
Preparing.nz is a practical guide for New Zealanders who want to be ready for the unexpected — earthquakes, storms, power cuts, pandemics and more.