Melbourne, Australia, was struck by a 3.8 earthquake, which broke a more than 120-year record. Some publications reported that the earthquake with a magnitude of 3.8 occurred before midnight, which woke many residents at 11.41 p.m. on Sunday, May 28.

Melburnians Share Their Startling Experiences of the Midnight Quake

Residents from Sunbury to Hobart rushed to social media reporting experiences with the quake. This resulted in similar reports of how the earthquake caused disruption in their everyday lives.

The earthquake's epicenter was 36 kilometers northwest of downtown Melbourne in the Sunbury suburb.

Noted seismologist Adam Pascale took to Twitter to express his astonishment, revealing that this earthquake marked Melbourne's most significant event within a 40-kilometer radius in more than 120 years, surpassing the magnitude 4.5 earthquake in 1902.

Fortunately, according to the Victoria SES, no injuries or significant damages have been reported thus far. Nevertheless, the sudden awakening in the middle of the night left Melbourne's residents shaken, and social media platforms quickly became a hub for individuals to share their accounts and feelings of surprise.

Geosciences Australia Receives 21,000 Reports of the Melbourne Earthquake

(Photo : Carl Court/Getty Images)
SAPPORO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 07: A traffic cone marks a sewer pipe that has raised out of the ground following liquefaction of soil triggered by an earthquake, on September 7, 2018 in Kiyota near Sapporo, Japan.

Witnesses took to Twitter to describe the experience, providing vivid details of the shaking. In the Essendon area, one resident reported a loud "boom" followed by moderate shaking, while another expressed concerns about potential structural consequences.

Home security footage even captured the harrowing moment when a terrified cat hurried downstairs, seeking refuge from the unsettling tremors.

Geosciences Australia was inundated with unprecedented reports as the sun rose, surpassing an astonishing 21,000 submissions. Reports came from various Melbourne suburbs, extending across the wider Victoria region and reaching as far south as Hobart.

Melbourne's Recent Earthquake Compared to the Memorable 2021 Event

Eyewitnesses shared their stories, recounting thunderous noises and deep rumblings that left residents awe-struck. One report highlighted that a two-month-old baby slept soundly through the earthquake's commotion in Glenroy, adding a touch of surrealism to an already remarkable event.

The recent earthquake drew inevitable comparisons to Melbourne's most memorable seismic episode, during the city's prolonged Covid lockdown in September 2021. That earthquake, measuring an impressive 5.9 on the Richter scale, originated in the remote Woods Point, approximately 180 kilometers east of Melbourne.

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Residents Urged to Remain Vigilant in the Wake of Recent Seismic Event

The powerful tremors reverberated across an astonishing 700-kilometer radius, damaging 46 buildings and the collapse of brick facades in Melbourne's city center.

While the recent earthquake might not have been as hard-hitting as its predecessors, it can still be seen as a reminder of the region's vulnerability and seismic activity. Experts are still warning the public regarding potential aftershocks that could affect the country in the upcoming days.

Residents are being advised to stay prepared for recurring quakes.

Last night's magnitude 4.0 was the largest #earthquake within 40km of #Melbourne in over 120 years, the last being a magnitude 4.5 in 1902.
The @GeoscienceAus station at Greenvale (nearest the epicentre) was one of the first seismograph locations established by @AusQuake in 1976. pic.twitter.com/kDz4mjWoH6

— Adam Pascale (@SeisLOLogist) May 28, 2023

 

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