Kermadec Islands, New Zealand — A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck the remote Kermadec Islands region north of New Zealand early Sunday morning.

What happened: The quake hit at 7:42 AM Central Time on Sunday, October 18, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was centered about 30 miles beneath the surface — a depth of 10 kilometers — in the open ocean northeast of New Zealand's North Island. USGS seismologists have reviewed the measurement and confirm the 4.5 magnitude reading.

Impacts: The USGS says this earthquake carries no tsunami threat. No one has filed a "Did You Feel It?" report with the agency, and no damage has been reported. The Kermadec Islands are a remote, largely uninhabited chain, so shaking likely went unfelt on land.

What to do:

- If you ever feel shaking, drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table, and hold on until it stops.

- Stay away from windows, mirrors, and anything that could fall.

- After shaking ends, check for gas leaks, damaged wiring, or broken pipes before settling back in.

- Expect possible aftershocks — smaller quakes commonly follow in the hours after a main shock.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), October 18, 2026.