Magnitude 7 earthquake strikes New Caledonia region

• A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near Tadine, New Caledonia.
• The earthquake occurred on Saturday, September 25, 2026.
• The quake's depth was 17.1 km (10.63 miles).
• The United States Geological Survey reported the event.

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near Tadine, New Caledonia, on Saturday, September 25, 2026, at 09:23:05 PM UTC, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The shallow crustal event occurred at a depth of 17.1 km (10.63 miles) and released energy equivalent to approximately 477 kt of TNT.

The USGS stated that a magnitude 7.0 earthquake is classified as major and can cause severe damage over large regions, with buildings potentially collapsing or shifting off foundations. Shaking could be felt across hundreds of kilometers, with a potential damage zone estimated between 200-300 km. The epicenter was located 68 km ENE of Tadine.

New Caledonia's seismicity is primarily due to the subduction of the Australian Plate beneath the Pacific/New Hebrides Plate. The earthquake originated within the brittle upper crust, which typically results in sharp surface shaking. Following a magnitude 7.0 event, an active aftershock sequence is expected over the coming days and weeks, with secondary tremors decreasing in frequency over time.