4.4 magnitude earthquake shakes Upper Hunter after 4.7 tremor on Friday
Residents in the Upper Hunter Region in NSW have been rocked by another 4 magnitude earthquake just a day on from a similar tremor which was felt as far away as Sydney and Canberra.
NSW
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Another earthquake has rattled NSW’s Hunter region 24 hours after an almost magnitude five tremor hit the area on Friday.
The 4.5 magnitude earthquake was reported just after 4:30pm in Denman, near Muswellbrook, on Saturday, with the tremor recording 10km below the earth’s surface, according to Geoscience Australia.
A series of smaller aftershocks were recorded in the hours prior.
2,500 homes lost power following the second earthquake but had their connection restored within an hour, according to Ausgrid.
Up to 600 residents reported feeling the quake in Sydney, The Central Coast and even as far away as Canberra.
Residents in Muswellbrook reported feeling their houses moving, furniture shifting and picture frames falling from walls duringthe tremor, but no reports of injuries have been made to emergency services.
Geoscience Australia said NSW residents should expect further aftershocks in the hours to come.
Just over 24 hours earlier, residents in the Upper Hunter Region of NSW have been rocked by a 4.7 magnitude earthquake on Friday afternoon.
The earthquake struck at 12.01pm on Friday at the Mount Arthur coal mine just outside Muswellbrook, and was recorded by Geoscience Australia as reaching 4.7 on the Richter
A spokesman for BHP confirmed the coal mine has paused operations to conduct safety checks after staff were injured during the quake.
“A few team members at Mt Arthur Coal required first aid for minor injuries from falling items, thankfully no one was seriously hurt,” he said.
“All areas at site are conducting inspections before we safely restart operations. We have offered our support to the Muswellbrook Shire Council.”
Tremors from the earthquake were reportedly felt in neighbouring towns including Muswellbrook, Scone and across the wider Hunter.
Geoscience Australia Senior Seismologist Dr Hadi Ghasemi said that as of 2pm the largest aftershock registered by the government’s official monitoring body had a magnitude of 2.9, and said there was little risk of a larger quake occurring “if the earthquake continues to behave the way it is now”.
“We have a couple of ‘felt reports’ as far away as Canberra, so it’s been felt very widely right across the region,” Dr Ghasemi said.
A quick look at the “seismicity” of the region reveals there’s been more than 150 tremors in the last 20 years — but Friday’s was by far the largest, he said.
Shoppers at Muswellbrook Marketplace reportedly panicked and start running from the centre.
Shops also starting locking up for the day as a small amount of debris started falling from the ceiling, according to one shopper.
Damage has also been reported at a building in Muswellbrook’s central business district, with debris falling onto the pathway below.
Amber Wright, who works on the main street in Muswellbrook, said she heard a rumble before her office building started shaking.
“You do get the occasional rumble when the semi trailers drive past, but then I felt the shaking and I could hear the plaster cracking,” she said.
“The desk was shaking and I physically started to shake too.”
Ms Wright has lived in the area for 32 years and said it was “definitely the strongest” tremor she had felt.
“I was in the office by myself so I rushed outside and everyone was on the street,” she said.
“Everyone seems ok and nothing looks to be damaged.
“I haven’t seen any emergency services so that’s a good sign.”
Over 100 kilometres away from the epicentre, at Heatherbrae near Raymond Terrace, high school teacher Heidi Mansfield was alone in the second floor staffroom when the quake hit.
“Out of nowhere the windows started rattling and the floor was shaking,” she said.
“This went on for approx. 15-20 seconds. I thought it was strange because there was no construction going on in the building.
“Others definitely felt it too. Items shaking on desks … were easy to see (and) hear, such as hand sanitiser and pens in cups.”
On the coast, Lemon Tree Passage shop owner Jim Overend was “shaken but not stirred” at his Tilligerry Emporium.
“We had customers in the shop at the time, the customers had drinks and the drinks were splashing around,” he said.
“It was like you were on a rollercoaster … the whole floor just rolled like a wave, not like back in ‘89 when everything shook and everything broke.
“I was in the big Newcastle earthquake … so it was a bit reminiscent of the old days.”
The tremors were felt throughout different parts of NSW, including the Central Coast, Sydney’s west and southwest.
Residents in the Upper Hunter quickly took to social media to share their experiences following the earthquake.
“The entire house moved on its foundations! 4.4 magnitude earthquake in Muswellbrook, NSW 30 mins ago! Power out — who knows what else. Scary stuff!” wrote Mark Mitchell on Facebook.
Peree Watson-Labor added, “Hope everyone is OK in Muswellbrook, with reports of an earthquake or tremors. Stay safe.”
David Jones posted, “ANYBODY ELSE IN MUSWELLBROOK JUST FEEL THAT?”
Allan O’Byrne noted, “Good earthquake at Muswellbrook — shook the RSL.”
Amidst the reports, two local schools confirmed the safety of their students. James Primary School assured parents, “All kids are okay.” Muswellbrook South Public School shared, “Staff and students have safely evacuated to our top oval, awaiting further instruction.”
Chief scientist at the Melbourne-based Seismology Research Centre Adam Pascale said the quake is the region’s largest in nearly 30 years, with the most recent major earthquake being a smaller 4.3 quake in 2019.
“The main quake occurred at 12:01pm, and it’s located about 5 kilometres from Muswellbrook,” Mr Pascale said.
“There’s been a number of aftershocks in the minutes afterwards, the largest one being a 2.7 magnitude at 12.15pm.”
While there is no risk of a tsunami due to the quake being located entirely onshore, Mr Pascale said there remains a small, but still significant chance that the midday quake is the prelude to something much larger.
“For something as close to magnitude 5, you can expect there to be aftershocks for up to a few weeks afterwards, and even months,” he said.
“There’s always the potential for an event larger than the original – it’s pretty rare, but people need to be prepared.
“The main advice we give to people, when you feel strong shaking, is to drop, cover and hold on – protect yourself by getting under a table to avoid falling objects.”
There are no reports of damage or injuries so far, but Mr Pascale said an earthquake of this magnitude does have potential for harm.
“This earthquake is about ten times smaller than the Newcastle quake (of 1989), but it is quite close to town. Given how close it is to Muswellbrook, there is a risk of damage … between magnitude 4 and 5 is where we start seeing light damage.”
Homeowners across NSW commented on the Telegraph’s coverage of the incident to share their experiences.
“Felt in Wollongong,” Lana Jay said.
“Felt it at Forster,” Kristene Randell commented.
“I felt it in Bonnyrigg,” Tracey Clark said.
“I feel it too up Blue Mountains,” Suzanne Nugent commented.
“Well that was the first time I’ve really felt an earthquake!! The house shook, the walls cracked. Wild,” Anna Edwards said on X.
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