Monash expert: Magnitude 4.8 earthquake rattles south-east Victoria
Monash University
A Monash University geology expert is available to comment on a 4.8-magnitude earthquake recorded near the Victorian town of Leongatha this morning, with tremors felt across Melbourne.
Dr Dee Ninis, Earthquake Geologist in Monash School of Earth, Atmosphere & Environment, Faculty of Science
Contact: +61 455 497 049 or [email protected]
- Earthquake measuring and hazard analysis
- Historical earthquake detection
- Seismic monitoring
The following can be attributed to Dr Ninis:
“At just after 2am on Saturday morning, there was a magnitude 4.8 earthquake about 6 km north-east of Korumburra, and 100 km south-east of Melbourne.
“The earthquake was widely felt across the state, waking many people from their sleep, with over 20,000 reports received by Geoscience Australia. It was followed by hundreds of aftershocks, the majority of which were too small to be felt. The largest so far was a magnitude 3.1 less than an hour after the main shock.
“Although earthquakes can and do happen anywhere in Australia, the Gippsland Basin is a region of heightened seismic activity relative to some other regions, and Korumburra is no exception.
“In 2009, a magnitude 4.7 was followed by a similar magnitude earthquake about two weeks later. The same area experienced a magnitude 4.4 quake in 2011.
“The area is known for several geological faults which first accommodated extension of the earth’s crust to form the Gippsland Basin more than 100 million years ago.
“In more recent times, in the last 5 million years, these faults were reactivated to accommodate compression of the crust, resulting in uplift and mountain building. These compressive forces continue in the present day, and earthquakes like the one this morning are the sudden release of stress that has built up in the crust as a result of these forces.
“Aftershocks associated with this morning’s earthquake are expected to continue over the next few days to weeks.
“Generally, these earthquakes will become smaller and less frequent with time. However, as with all aftershock sequences, there is a chance that an earthquake of similar magnitude or larger may occur.”
For any other topics on which you may be seeking expert comment, contact the Monash University Media Unit on +61 3 9903 4840 or [email protected]