M6.3 earthquake - Kermadec Islands region

What happened

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Kermadec Islands region on 21 Mar 1997, 12:07 UTC at a depth of 449 km.

Earthquakes of this size are classed as Strong. Can cause damage in populated areas up to tens of kilometres away. This was a deep earthquake; shaking at the surface is usually weak for its size.