A 4.8 magnitude earthquake near Korumburra could be followed by further tremors over the coming days and weeks, a Monash University geologist has warned.
The earthquake struck shortly after 2am on Saturday, with Geoscience Australia recording its epicentre 6km north-east of the Gippsland town in Victoria. It was one of the strongest earthquakes reported in the region for two decades.
More than 100 aftershocks have since been detected, while the initial quake was felt as far away as Melbourne, about 120km from the epicentre.
Dr Dee Ninis said the earthquake had altered the way stress was distributed through the Earth’s crust, potentially triggering further movement as the ground adjusts.
“Aftershocks associated with this morning’s earthquake are expected to continue over the next few days to weeks,” Dr Ninis told 7News.
“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.”
The earthquake struck at a depth of 10km and prompted more than 16,000 reports from people who had felt the shaking by 3am. More than 21,000 reports were eventually recorded.
Residents described being woken by rattling buildings and falling objects. Caulfield South resident Jane Barnes said her windows shook and her house creaked, while Armadale resident Michelle Wade said she could hear items falling in the apartment above her.
Victoria’s State Emergency Service advises people caught in an earthquake to drop to the ground, take cover beneath a sturdy table or other furniture, and hold on until the shaking stops. People using wheelchairs should lock their brakes.
The Gippsland region was also affected by earthquakes measuring 4.7 in 2009 and 4.4 in 2011. Elsewhere in Victoria, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck near the Great Ocean Road in October 2023, while Woods Point experienced a magnitude 5.9 quake in September 2021.
