3.1 magnitude earthquake rattles Central Australia, north-west of Alice Springs

The seventh earthquake in as many weeks struck the Territory around lunchtime on Saturday. Here’s where it was felt.

A 3.4 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Timor Sea, about 280km from Darwin, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Picture: Earthquakes@GA

The seventh earthquake in as many weeks has been recorded in the Territory.

The magnitude 3.1 tremor rattled Central Australia about 400km north-west of Alice Springs near Lake Mackay.

The earthquake reached a depth of 10km about 12pm Saturday.

The aftershocks of the quake were felt across the Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.

The magnitude 3.1 tremor rattled Central Australia about 400km north-west of Alice Springs near Lake Mackay.

Earthquake strikes in Timor Sea near Darwin

A magnitude 3.4 earthquake has been recorded in the Timor Sea, just 270km northwest of Darwin.

The tremor struck about 1.50am Tuesday, reaching a depth of 10km.

It is the sixth earthquake recorded in or near the Territory in about six weeks.

Last week a magnitude 2.4 quake struck Central Australia, with the epicentre just 30km from Tennant Creek.

It came after a magnitude 3 quake was felt in the Central Ranges, about 150km west of Uluru, on Monday.

According to Geoscience Australia, that earthquake occurred at 1.50pm and was at a depth of 10km.

Three tremors were recorded in the NT in July alone, including one near Tennant Creek and one in the Tanami.

A similar magnitude 3 quake was felt in Poeppel Corner just over a month ago.

Fire near Lee Point decreases severity

Residents in Darwin’s northern suburbs have been told they may “resume normal activities” following a fire on Buffalo Creek Road.

A grass and scrub fire ignited on Sunday morning was spreading on one or more fronts, prompting a ‘Watch and Act’ alert.

The warning was downgraded by 4.30pm.

NT Fire and Rescue said the fire was still going but there was a “reduced level of threat.

Lee Point fire map as of Sunday 13 August 2023, 11.10am. Picture: PFES

The Watch and Act advice urged people to take “action now to protect your family and property”.
“Conditions are changing … effective containment strategies are not in place for the entire perimeter,” a press release read.

The alert said the fire was affecting visibility while warned of crews working alongside roads to contain active flames.

“For the safety of firefighting crews and other vehicles, drivers in the area are urged to slow down, turn on headlights and drive safely for the conditions,” it read.