Skip to main content

5.9 earthquake causes minor damage in Australia, no injuries

Share
MELBOURNE, Australia -

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake caused slight damage in suburban Melbourne on Wednesday in an unusually powerful temblor for Australia.

The quake hit about 130 kilometres (80 miles) northeast of Australia's second-most populous city near the town of Mansfield at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles), Geoscience Australia said.

Minor structural damage to chimneys, facades and older buildings was reported around the Melbourne metropolitan area. A hospital near the epicenter lost power, and fallen bricks littered some city streets.

Seismology Research Centre Chief Scientist Adam Pascale said it was the largest onshore quake in Victoria's recorded history.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there were no reports of serious injury.

The earthquake was the largest to rattle Australia since a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck 210 kilometres (130 miles) off the northwest coastal town of Broome in 2019.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

WATCH

WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert

H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.

Local Spotlight