Magnitude 2.7 earthquake hits Melbourne’s outer west

A magnitude 2.7 earthquake has hit the state in what was the second tremor to strike in less than 72 hours.

Residents in Melbourne’s outer west were rocked by a magnitude 2.7 earthquake early Friday morning, in what was the second tremor to hit the state this week.

The quake rattled the town of Bacchus Marsh at 2.48am, with Geoscience Australia data suggesting it occurred about 10km below ground.

At least 10 people reported to the government site they felt the tremor, with one Rowsley local sharing on social media that it had sounded like an “explosion”.

Other Victorians reported feeling what they thought was an earthquake in Melton, Narre Warren South and Geelong.

Friday’s quake comes less than a week after a magnitude 2.9 earthquake hit the regional town of Rawson, situated 24km north of Moe.

Tuesday’s quake hit in the afternoon at 2.54pm, with 15 people reporting they had felt it at the time.

Geoscience Australia reported the tremor at a depth of 9km.