Gippsland earthquake aftershocks could last months
Victoria's Gippsland was struck by a 4.9 magnitude earthquake with six aftershocks, possibly continuing for months.
A 4.9 magnitude earthquake hit near Leongatha, southeast of Melbourne, at about 2am last Saturday. More than 21,000 people reported feeling it across Victoria, NSW and the ACT.
Six aftershocks have followed. The latest was 1.6 magnitude on Thursday afternoon.
A Geoscience seismologist said the aftershocks could continue for months but should gradually get smaller. Australia usually has about two or three earthquakes this size each year.
Gippsland is more likely to have earthquakes than most other Australian areas. But southwestern Western Australia and the area around Darwin in the Northern Territory also have high earthquake likelihood.
- 4.9
- Main earthquake magnitude
- 21,000+
- People who reported feeling it
- 6
- Aftershocks recorded
- Leongatha, southeast of Melbourne
- Location
Why it mattersResidents should prepare for more shaking and know what to do when larger earthquakes strike in the future.
AustraliaGippsland households should review their earthquake safety plans and ensure they know how to drop, cover and hold on.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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