M6.3 Earthquake Strikes Fiordland North of Te Anau

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Fiordland at 9:14pm on Thursday, 16 July 2026, centred 40 km north of Te Anau at a depth of 51 km. GeoNet rated the shaking intensity MMI 6, meaning it was strongly felt, and recorded the event at its highest confidence grade. It is the largest earthquake in GeoNet's current feed of recent New Zealand quakes.

GeoNet has since recorded 10 further earthquakes in the same area, ranging from magnitude 3.3 to magnitude 4.3, over roughly 8 hours. The largest of those was a magnitude 4.3 at 9:31pm. Aftershocks are normal after an earthquake of this size and may continue for some time. GeoNet's feed only lists events that were felt, so smaller aftershocks are likely to have gone unlisted.

The most important point for anyone travelling: the Milford Road is open. NZTA Waka Kotahi lists State Highway 94 at caution status because of scheduled maintenance at the Homer Tunnel running to 23 July, which is unrelated to the earthquake. The Crown Range is also open under the usual winter rule that chains must be carried. We track both roads live on our conditions page, straight from the official feeds.

At 51 km, this was a deep earthquake. Deep events release their energy well below the surface, so they are felt across a wide area but generally cause less surface damage than a shallow quake of the same magnitude.

We have no reports of damage or injuries and will not speculate about either. For the official record, GeoNet publishes the event and its aftershocks; NZTA Waka Kotahi publishes live highway status. If you have a Milford Sound trip booked, the road is open, but alpine conditions change quickly, so check before you set out.

**Q: Is the road to Milford Sound open after the Fiordland earthquake?** **A: Yes. NZTA Waka Kotahi lists State Highway 94 at caution status, and that caution is for scheduled Homer Tunnel maintenance running to 23 July, not for earthquake damage. Check the live status before you travel, because alpine conditions can change within hours.**

**Q: How big was the Fiordland earthquake and where exactly was it?** **A: GeoNet recorded a magnitude 6.3 earthquake at 9:14pm on Thursday, 16 July 2026, centred 40 km north of Te Anau at a depth of 51 km, with a shaking intensity of MMI 6. At 51 km deep it was felt widely, but deep earthquakes typically cause less surface damage than shallow ones.**

**Q: Are there aftershocks in Fiordland, and is it safe to visit?** **A: GeoNet recorded 10 aftershocks between magnitude 3.3 and magnitude 4.3 in the hours after the mainshock, the largest a magnitude 4.3. Aftershocks are expected after a magnitude 6 event. Roads in the region are open and operating normally, and there are no official reports of damage.**