2.3-magnitude earthquake rattles Melbourne’s eastern suburbs

Residents in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs have reported hearing loud bangs as their homes were shaken by tremors brought on by a small earthquake.

Residents in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs have felt their homes shaken by tremors brought on by a 2.3-magnitude earthquake.

Reports of minor rumblings and loud bangs came through to the Seismology Research Centre about 11.15am Tuesday, which confirmed a small quake had struck near Ferntree Gully.

A spokesman for Victoria’s State Emergency Service said a total 85 ‘felt reports’ had been received by Geoscience Australia in the aftermath.

Residents in nearby suburbs Bayswater, Ringwood East, Emerald and Kilsyth also reported feeling tremors.

Many of those who felt the quake took to social media to share their own experiences.

At 11:15am a magnitude 2.3 earthquake occurred near Ferntree Gully in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Let us know if you felt it. pic.twitter.com/qmqqhMf6cP

— Seismology Research Centre (@AusQuake) May 16, 2023

Flicka Schwitz said she felt the quake shake the ground near her Montrose home, about 35km east of Melbourne.

“Rumbling, rattling and a loud explosion-like sound in Montrose. I dreamt about earthquakes last night so I’m now wondering if I felt earlier small tremors in my sleep,” she said.

Others took the chance to make light of the situation.

“I thought the washing machine had unbalanced,” Emma Jenkins wrote online.

“Thought our tin roof was falling off,” another user joked.

No requests for assistance or reports of damage had been made as of midday.

The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed there was no threat of a tsunami.

It comes less than two years on from a 5.9 magnitude earthquake which caused destruction along Chapel St – more than 170km from its epicentre in Woods Point.

Originally published as 2.3-magnitude earthquake rattles Melbourne’s eastern suburbs