Moderate Earthquake Rocks Victoria, Shakes Melbourne Region

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck Victoria in the early hours of Saturday morning, causing widespread tremors in Melbourne and awakening residents across the region.

Geoscience Australia confirmed the earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 at 2:01 am near Leongatha, approximately 130 kilometers southeast of Melbourne, was felt throughout the city’s eastern suburbs.

The agency reported receiving thousands of public observations confirming the quake’s impact, including comments from individuals like Brian Morley in Narre Warren, who noted, “felt it and woke me up,” and Theresa Stevens, who stated, “Shook our house in Garfield.”

Additional reports indicated the tremors were experienced in Preston, Heidelberg Heights, Venus Bay, and numerous other Melbourne suburbs.

The earthquake was determined to have originated approximately 10 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface.

Victoria’s State Emergency Service highlighted the event as a timely reminder to review emergency procedures, emphasizing the “drop, cover, and hold on” response during seismic events.

The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed there was no tsunami risk associated with the earthquake.

Located in South Gippsland, an area recognized as one of Australia’s most seismically active regions, the earthquake underscores the region’s geological history.

Recent comparable events include a 5.9 magnitude quake near Mansfield in 2021 and a 5.0 magnitude event along the Great Ocean Road in 2023.

According to records, the Saturday earthquake marks the largest seismic activity in Victoria since the 5.0 event in 2023.

An aftershock of magnitude 3.1 occurred 55 minutes later, following a 3.3 magnitude tremor recorded in Yarram the previous Thursday, located about 80 kilometers east of Leongatha.

University of Melbourne earthquake scientist Mark Quigley predicted potential sustained aftershocks, noting, “South Gippsland is among Australia’s more seismically active areas, and we anticipate continued events of this nature.”

Quigley attributed the earthquake to rapid displacement—five to 10 centimeters—along a two by three-kilometer fault zone 10 kilometers underground, releasing significant seismic energy.

Despite perceptions of increased frequency, Quigley clarified that seismic recording levels remain consistent, adding, “We’re not detecting more earthquakes than historical norms.”

While not warranting panic, he advised residents to assess household risks, particularly items that could become safety hazards during future events.

Geological records indicate past earthquakes in Gippsland of magnitude seven or higher, capable of causing extensive regional damage.

Victoria’s most recent property-damaging earthquake occurred in 2021, with effects felt 700 kilometers from its epicenter.

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