The ground beneath southeastern Australia trembled twice within hours on Wednesday as two separate earthquakes struck the region, sending shockwaves through populated areas and putting residents on high alert.
The initial quake, measuring a substantial 4.6 on the Richter scale, occurred at approximately 1:30 am local time near Rawson in Victoria's Gippsland region. The seismic event was powerful enough to be felt across Melbourne, approximately 150 kilometres away, waking residents with violent shaking that lasted several seconds.
Just hours later, the region experienced aftershocks, including a significant 3.5 magnitude tremor at 5:44 am that rattled the same area. Seismologists confirmed this was part of the ongoing seismic activity following the initial quake.
Emergency services reported receiving numerous calls from concerned citizens across multiple suburbs, though fortunately, no significant damage or injuries were immediately reported. The State Emergency Service advised residents to remain cautious as aftershocks could continue throughout the day.
Expert Analysis and Historical Context
Seismologist Dr. Adam Pascale from the Seismology Research Centre noted that while earthquakes of this magnitude are uncommon in the region, they're not unprecedented. "This is definitely one of the larger quakes we've seen in this particular area in recent years," Dr. Pascale commented. "The fact that we've had several aftershocks, including one of 3.5 magnitude, is completely normal following an event of this size."
Australia's seismic activity differs from that of countries located on tectonic plate boundaries, with most quakes occurring within the continental plate itself. This geological reality means that while large earthquakes are less frequent, they can still occur unexpectedly across various regions.
Community Response and Safety Measures
Local residents took to social media to share their experiences, with many describing being woken by the violent shaking. "The whole house was moving like crazy," one Melbourne resident posted. "I've never felt anything like it here before."
Emergency authorities have reminded Australians of basic earthquake safety protocols:
- Drop to the ground and take cover under sturdy furniture
- Hold on until the shaking stops
- Stay away from windows and exterior walls
- If outdoors, move away from buildings and utility wires
While Australia doesn't face the same seismic risks as countries like Japan or New Zealand, Wednesday's events serve as a reminder that earthquake preparedness remains important for communities across the continent.
