Central Victoria earthquake: Maldon tremor felt in Bendigo

Central Victorian residents felt their homes rattle as a 3.0 magnitude earthquake struck the region.

Homes rattled and some residents reported hearing an explosion in parts of Central Victoria as a 3.0 magnitude earthquake shook the region.

Residents of Maldon, near the epicentre, reported feeling the ground shake for up to ten seconds as their homes rattled.

The quake was described as an “explosion” and a “crash”.

“(There was a) loud bang, seven to ten seconds of vigorous china rattling that felt like the roof would lift off then a low rumble fading,” local Susan Iacuone said.

Another, Lis Martion said it “frightened the beejeezes” out of her.

“I thought a truck went through side fence,” she wrote on Facebook.

The Seismology Centre confirmed the earthquake epicentre was near Maldon at 10.50am Thursday May 27.

Earthquake about 10 minutes ago near Maldon in central Victoria, magnitude 3.0. Felt in surrounding towns. pic.twitter.com/EuYS4r8l1v

— Seismology Centre (@AusQuake) May 27, 2021

Geoscience Australia also confirmed the quake, which came from a depth of 2km and was picked up by sensors as far as Ballarat, Moama and Geelong.

Residents reported feeling the tremor in surrounding towns as far north as Bendigo, 40km north of the epicentre.

This area of Victoria is more seismically active than most, with a couple dozen larger historical earthquakes within 50km of today's event, up to magnitude 4.0. Here's a quick time lapse. https://t.co/V1hc9IyP5Vpic.twitter.com/y2mcGQu2nq

— Adam Pascale (@SeisLOLogist) May 27, 2021