Victoria hit by a 4.6-magnitude earthquake

Melbourne was shaken awake as an early-morning earthquake became the second major tremor to hit Victoria in weeks.

A 4.6-magnitude earthquake awakened Victorians overnight in the second tremor to hit the garden state in the past month.

The tremor hit about 127mk east of Melbourne near the rural city of Rawson, according to Geoscience Australia. The Bureau of Meteorology added there was no tsunami threat from the quake.

At 1.32am, we detected a 4.6 magnitude earthquake near Rawson, Victoria. We've had more than 5,500 felt reports so far. If you felt it, please report it here: https://t.co/mDEuMEoFG8pic.twitter.com/jBJDajceY8

— Geoscience Australia (@GeoscienceAus) June 29, 2023

More than 5,000 reports were lodged after the quake was first detected at about 1.32am local time, with comedian Magda Szubanski among the first to react on Twitter.

“Earthquake??? Again?? Melbourne peeps??” she asked.

Earthquake??? Again?? Melbourne peeps??

— Magda Szubanski AO (@MagdaSzubanski) June 29, 2023

“Yep. I was doing my monthly budget, thought it was just a feeling of doom initially,” replied one Twitter user.

😂😂😂

— Magda Szubanski AO (@MagdaSzubanski) June 29, 2023

It’s the second earthquake in the past month, with a 3.8 magnitude earthquake striking near Sunbury at 11.40pm on in May. It was the biggest earthquake to hit the city in 120 years. Victoria was hit by a record-breaking 5.8 magnitude earthquake in September 2021.

Residents reported that “windows, shelves and beds” were shaking in Munro, while in Hawthorn vibrations were felt “through the apartment”.

“Yep, it scared the crap out of one of my cats,” added Twitter user Elizabeth Post.

Victoria State Emergency Service said anyone who needed support should call 132 500.