BREAKING: TWO earthquakes hit Victoria
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit the area around Mansfield, in north-east Victoria, at 9.15 am on Wednesday morning.
The quake was reported by Geoscience Australia 10 kilometres beneath the earth’s surface.
The tremor was reportedly felt across Melbourne, regional Victoria, Canberra, Adelaide, New South Wales, and Launceston.
Geoscience Australia recorded a second magnitude-4.0, 12 kilometre-deep earthquake nearby about 15 minutes later, followed by a third at depth of 6km and magnitude of 3.1 20 minutes later.
The agency added that there is no tsunami threat.
Victoria’s SES has said the epicentre is near Mansfield, about 150 kilometres north-east of Melbourne.
Reports have emerged of significant damage in some parts of the state, with footage appearing on social media showing debris and damage outside the Betty’s Burger restaurant on Chapel Street in Melbourne.
Image: paul_dowsley / Twitter
Apartment buildings and offices are being evacuated in Melbourne, where footage is also being captured.
Residents have also reported shaking walls, with many waking up to the tremors.
Footage of the earthquake was captured by ABC News Breakfast, with presenter Michael Rowland initially asking, “is it an earthquake or a structural thing?”
“Let’s go,” he then said. “That was a big one.”
A magnitude six #Earthquake has rattled Melbourne and regional Victoria.
This is the moment when News Breakfast presenters @mjrowland68 and @Tonaaayy_ were rocked by it. pic.twitter.com/Z4gz0sWJve— News Breakfast (@BreakfastNews) September 21, 2021
Adam Pascale, head of the Seismology Research Centre, told the ABC that aftershocks were possible.
“We are still reigning it but we think it’s a mag-5.8 potentially at this point in Gippsland,” he said.
“It shook here in the northern suburbs of Melbourne for about 15-20 seconds so it’s quite a significant earthquake.
“The aftershocks are likely already occurring.
“You’d expect them to start straightaway.
“I can already see at least two or three smaller events there.
“In Licola and Woods Point they’re probably close enough to possibly have had some damage from this earthquake.
“The main thing for people to remember is if they do start to feel some shaking. There’s usually a primary and a secondary wave. The primary wave will give you a few seconds to get under a table and hold on.”
Image: henriettacook / Twitter