Magnitude 5.7 earthquake in the Banda Sea felt across the Top End

A 5.7 magnitude quake in waters above the Top End has been felt by residents as far as Katherine, Wadeye, and across the WA border.

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake in the Banda Sea was felt across the Top End in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake in the Banda Sea 620km north of Darwin has had residents across the Top End shaking in their beds overnight.

The quake hit at about 12.30am local time on Saturday and was reported to Geoscience Australia by more than 700 people across Darwin, Palmerston, Jabiru, Katherine, Wadeye and across the border in Kununurra.

The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed there was no tsunami threat to Australia, and so far no reports of damage have come from Indonesia or Timor-Leste.

No #tsunami threat to Australia from #earthquake felt in Darwin, NT (magnitude 5.8 near Banda Sea). See https://t.co/Tynv3ZQpEq. pic.twitter.com/U8fQvm9ybW

— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) September 22, 2023

Australian folk rock legends The Waifs welcomed the extra rock ‘n’ roll for their concert at the Darwin Entertainment Centre.

“Omg Darwin, you known how to turn a seated venue into a club,” the band posted on Facebook.

“Can’t wait to come back, and a (5.7) earthquake to end the evening – Darwin, you Shake Rattle n Roll. Hoping Indonesia is safe.”

Others also took to social media in the wake of the quake.

“Something hit Darwin city again, buildings are shaking, don’t like it,” one Facebook user said.

Others noted it “rattled us awake in Jingili”, “shook the bed at Dundee Beach”, and “the caravan rocked hard at Howard Springs”.

“Survived my first earthquake – feeling blessed,” posted another.