Magnitude 4.4 Earthquake Rattles Illawarra and South-East NSW
A significant seismic event struck the Illawarra region and much of south-east New South Wales on the evening of March 11, 2026, causing widespread concern among residents. The earthquake, recorded by Geoscience Australia, had a magnitude of 4.4 with an epicentre located near Boorowa, NSW.
Initial Reports and Updates
Geoscience Australia initially reported the earthquake as a magnitude 4.5 event but later revised it to 4.4. The tremor occurred at 7:09 PM and was felt across a broad area, including Wollongong, where more than 200 residents submitted reports of feeling the shaking. The depth of the earthquake was recorded at 12 kilometres, contributing to its perceptibility over a large distance.
Resident Experiences and Reactions
Many locals described sudden and unexpected movements. Amanda Kostovski from West Wollongong noted, "Felt it in West Wollongong. Laying in bed upstairs and felt the house shake slightly. Didn't know what was going on." In Tullimbar, one parent mentioned the tremor was strong enough to rouse children from their activities, humorously referring to it as getting them "out of hibernation."
Further afield, Kyle Mackey-Laws from Bonner estimated the shaking lasted about five seconds. "We were sitting on the couch and the house started shaking, the windows rattled, and it sounded like a massive truck was driving past our house slowly," he recounted. His child immediately suspected an earthquake, prompting a quick online search that confirmed the event near Queanbeyan.
Widespread Impact and Official Response
By approximately 8:15 PM, Geoscience Australia had received over 5,000 felt reports related to the earthquake. The effects extended to Canberra, where chandeliers shook at the National Press Club during a lecture by University of Canberra vice-chancellor Bill Shorten. Residents from areas like Weetangara, Kambah, and Bungendore also reported feeling their homes tremble.
Despite the widespread sensation, the ACT Emergency Services Agency confirmed that no requests for assistance were made in connection with the incident. A spokesman stated that services such as ACT Fire and Rescue and the State Emergency Service remained on standby but were not activated.
Epicentre Perspectives
Near the epicentre in Boorowa, about a three-hour drive from Wollongong, some residents described it as the biggest earthquake they had experienced in years. One social media user posted, "... it was the best one I have felt since I was a kid," adding that their son in Gungahlin also felt the tremor. This highlights how seismic activity can resonate across considerable distances, affecting communities far from the source.
The event serves as a reminder of Australia's occasional seismic activity, with this earthquake drawing attention due to its intensity and broad reach. Authorities continue to monitor for any aftershocks or related incidents, though no further significant activity has been reported at this time.
