A shallow magnitude M3.3 with an epicenter 25km east of Whitianga has rattled across the upper North Island this evening at 8:06pm. It’s associated with a small earthquake swarm which has developed just south of the extinct Mercury volcanic field on the edge of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Since 14th August there have been 10 earthquakes ranging from M2.0 to M3.3 including the M3.3 at 8:06pm this evening. In modern times, the swarm’s location has very little historical earthquake activity, but there was 1 notable earthquake recorded on 27th January 1989 that registered Magnitude 4.5. Tracking of the swarm can be viewed here .