Queensland Shaken: 5.6 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Near Kilkivan

A significant earthquake rattled Queensland on the morning of October 7, 2023, as a magnitude 5.6 tremor struck near Kilkivan, approximately 170 kilometers northwest of Brisbane. The quake occurred at 09:50 local time, with a depth of 10 kilometers. In the hour following the event, Geoscience Australia received over 10,000 reports from residents who felt the shaking.

The tremor was felt as far away as Peregian Beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, roughly 85 kilometers from the epicenter. Local resident Mark Barton described the initial confusion among his neighbors, suggesting they thought it might be construction work. “We thought initially there might be some construction work gone wrong,” he explained. As the vibrations intensified, he noted, “The windows were rattling and the whole house was shaking, not violently but quite noticeably.”

Residents reported that the shaking lasted about a minute, prompting many to venture outdoors to assess the situation. “It caused, not panic, but it caused people to be a bit scared,” Barton added.

No Tsunami Threat Confirmed

In the aftermath of the earthquake, the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed that there was no tsunami threat resulting from the seismic activity. This reassurance came as a relief to many in the coastal areas still reeling from the quake.

However, the earthquake had immediate consequences for local infrastructure. According to network operator Ergon Energy, more than 11,000 customers in the vicinity of the epicenter experienced power outages due to the tremor. Crews worked swiftly to restore electricity, but disturbances in service were reported for several hours.

Earthquakes of this magnitude are not uncommon in Australia, occurring on average every one to two years. Geoscience Australia records approximately 100 earthquakes each year with a magnitude of three or lower. Notably, just days before the Kilkivan quake, a magnitude 3.2 earthquake was recorded on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, following a 3.6 magnitude event west of Kingscote on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island.

As residents begin to return to normalcy, they reflect on the impact of the earthquake. While there were no reports of serious injuries or structural damage, the event serves as a reminder of Queensland’s geological activity and the importance of being prepared for such natural occurrences.