The best memes to come out of Melbourne’s unexpected earthquake

Melbourne’s had a rough 24 hours, experiencing multiple earthquakes that precisely nobody was prepared for amidst ongoing protests in the CBD. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far, although some buildings have suffered damage. In fact, SES chief officer Tim Wiebusch said lockdown was likely the reason there weren’t more injuries, telling media, “We were probably very fortunate that with the situation in Melbourne at the moment there aren’t a lot of people out moving during the day.”

Being Australian, everyone rushed to find the humour in the situation, so without further ado, here are some of the best memes and jokes from the past 24 hours. 

This tweet from the Chaser team had everyone wondering if they were psychic, or had perhaps planned the earthquake as one of their stunts. It was posted on Tuesday, and reads, “Nation braces for next natural disaster after Scott Morrison goes on vacation”. 

Nation braces for next natural disaster after Scott Morrison goes on vacation — The Chaser (@chaser) September 21, 2021

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They followed it up with this one posted soon after the earthquake, reading, “As Scott Morrison is informed in New York about the earthquake back home, he reassures the public that he will be catching the next flight back to Hawaii”.

As Scott Morrison is informed in New York about the earthquake back home, he reassures the public that he will be catching the next flight back to Hawaii — The Chaser (@chaser) September 22, 2021

Some were concerned about the structural integrity of Melbourne’s iconic landmarks…

Some of the devastating building damage from the Melbourne earthquake. pic.twitter.com/mS9V48Of7v — Masericha ™️ (@masericha) September 22, 2021

But fortunately highly qualified earthquake inspectors were on hand to survey the damage.

Official earthquake inspector report at the old Astor. All is well. 1936, built to last. #melbourneearthquake pic.twitter.com/c7whPQJA8f — Zak Hepburn (@ZakHepburn) September 22, 2021

Australians on the other side of the country were starting to feel left out.

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Can confirm that in Perth we have not felt the earthquake yet. It usually takes about 2-4 years for stuff people are talking about in Melbourne to make it here. — Lauren Béldi (@LaurenBeldi) September 22, 2021

While others were feeling fortunate they weren’t in Melbourne just now.

At what point do we accept that God hates Melbourne? — James Colley (@JamColley) September 21, 2021

When the earthquake hit, some people weren’t sure what had happened, with one Twitter user’s mum telling the family group chat that she thought her upstairs was haunted.

my mum’s reaction to the earthquake… sent to the family group chat pic.twitter.com/kakTY8ozu5 — Mads (@MaddyUlbrick) September 21, 2021

While others knew right away what had happened, and who was responsible.

Dan Andreas Fault. — Darren Levin (@darren_levin) September 21, 2021

pic.twitter.com/R20hHJzyqy — Leanne Tonkes (@leannetonkes) September 22, 2021

Finally, it’s important to always try to look on the bright side, just like this tweeter has.

the Melbourne earthquake, 22/10/21 — we will rebuild... pic.twitter.com/WzwWxhwfOq — Evan Morgan Grahame (@Evan_M_G) September 21, 2021

And to try and remain calm in a crisis, like the ABC’s Tony Armstrong. 

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

Image: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images