A significant magnitude-5.6 earthquake has struck inland from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, with tremors felt across hundreds of kilometers. The event, which occurred at 9:49 AM, is being described by experts as the largest onshore quake in the region in the last 50 years.
Geoscience Australia reported the earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 80 kilometers west of Noosa and 250 kilometers north of Brisbane. The quake originated from a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers, contributing to the widespread reports of shaking.
The impact was felt far beyond the immediate vicinity of the epicenter. Residents from Rockhampton in the north to Glen Innes in New South Wales reported feeling the tremors. The public response was immediate, with more than 12,500 people submitting “felt reports” to Geoscience Australia to document their experience.
Michelle Salmon, a seismologist from Geoscience Australia, highlighted the significance of the event. She confirmed it was the largest earthquake to occur on land in half a century and the most powerful to hit Queensland since a magnitude-5.8 quake off the coast of Bowen in 2016.
Despite the quake’s notable strength, Ms. Salmon also provided context on the state’s seismic history, noting that Queensland is generally considered “the least seismically active state” in Australia. Investigations are ongoing, but there have been no initial reports of major damage or injuries.
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