An earthquake measuring 4.8 on the magnitude scale occurred in Victoria in the early hours of Saturday, with its epicenter located near Leongatha, approximately 130 kilometers southeast of Melbourne. Geoscience Australia detected the event at 2:01am and estimated the quake’s depth at roughly 10 kilometers below the Earth’s surface. The tremors were widely felt across the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and other parts of the region, prompting thousands of reports from residents who experienced the shaking.
The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed there was no tsunami threat resulting from the earthquake. Victoria’s State Emergency Service issued guidance on proper earthquake safety procedures, including dropping to the ground, taking cover under sturdy furniture, and protecting the head and neck until shaking ceases. This represented the largest earthquake recorded in the state since a 5.0 magnitude event on the Great Ocean Road in 2023.
The South Gippsland region where the earthquake occurred is recognized as one of Australia’s more seismically active zones. An aftershock measuring 3.1 magnitude was recorded 55 minutes following the primary event, and a separate 3.3 magnitude earthquake had been recorded at Yarram, approximately 80 kilometers east of Leongatha, earlier in the week. Mark Quigley, an associate professor of earthquake science at the University of Melbourne, indicated that aftershocks could continue to be felt in the region for weeks.
Quigley explained that the earthquake resulted from a section of rock approximately two by three kilometers in size, located about 10 kilometers underground, slipping between 5 and 10 centimeters and releasing seismic energy. He noted that while earthquakes may appear to be increasing in frequency in recent years, the actual rate of recorded earthquakes has not increased. Quigley suggested that residents of the region consider whether household items could pose safety risks during a larger earthquake, noting that geological records indicate larger quakes, potentially reaching magnitude 7 or higher, have occurred in Gippsland historically and could cause widespread damage if they recurred.
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