Residents across Melbourne were jolted awake in the early hours of the morning as a 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck near the Mornington Peninsula. The tremor, which occurred at a shallow depth, sent shockwaves through the city and surrounding suburbs, with many reporting rattling windows and shaking furniture.
Widespread Reports of Tremors
The seismic event, recorded by Geoscience Australia just after 2:00 AM local time, was felt as far as Geelong and parts of regional Victoria. Social media quickly lit up with accounts from startled locals, many of whom mistook the quake for heavy freight trains or construction work before realising the true cause.
Emergency Services Respond
Victoria's State Emergency Service confirmed they received numerous calls following the tremor, though no significant damage or injuries were immediately reported. "We're conducting routine checks on infrastructure, particularly in the epicentre region," a spokesperson stated.
Expert Analysis
Seismologists note that while earthquakes of this magnitude are uncommon in the region, they're not unprecedented. "The Australian tectonic plate is under constant stress," explained Dr. Emma Wilson from the University of Melbourne's Seismology Centre. "What made this event noticeable was its shallow depth - just 3km below the surface - which amplifies the surface shaking."
Resident Experiences
Mornington Peninsula locals described the moment the quake hit. "It sounded like a truck had crashed into our house," said Sarah Thompson of Mount Martha. "The bed shook violently for about 10 seconds - terrifying when you're half asleep."
Authorities remind residents that in the event of an earthquake, the safest action is to drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops. Aftershocks, while possible, are typically less intense than the main event.
