The 1843 Wanganui earthquake occurred on 8 July at 16:45 local time with an estimated magnitude of 7.5 on the surface wave magnitude scale. The maximum perceived intensity was IX (violent) on the Mercalli intensity scale' possibly reaching X (extreme). The epicentre is estimated to have been within a zone extending 50 km northeast from Wanganui towards Taihape. GNS Science has this earthquake cataloged and places the epicenter 35 km east of Taihape, near the border of Hawke's Bay.