4.4 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Canberra and South-East NSW, Sparking Widespread Reports
A significant earthquake measuring 4.4 on the magnitude scale struck near Boorowa, New South Wales, on Friday evening, sending tremors across Canberra and much of south-eastern NSW. The seismic event, recorded by Geoscience Australia at precisely 7.09pm, initially registered as a 4.5 magnitude but was swiftly revised downward to 4.4. The epicentre was located approximately 1.5 hours drive from the Australian Capital Territory, causing noticeable shaking in residential areas.
Residents Describe Intense Shaking and Unusual Noises
Bonner resident Kyle Mackey-Laws provided a vivid account of the earthquake, estimating it lasted around five seconds at his home. "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 children immediately recognized the event, with one yelling out in surprise. Mackey-Laws added, "It was 7.10pm, so checked Google and it confirmed that there'd been one near Queanbeyan ... pretty wild that we felt it so strongly here. I've never experienced that before."
Reports flooded in from various suburbs, including Weetangara, Kambah, and Bungendore, with residents noting their homes rocked during the incident. Social media platforms buzzed with activity, as one Facebook poster simply stated, "House rocked in Harrison." Additionally, a Belconnen man received an automated alert on his Android phone, notifying him of an earthquake 118 kilometres north of Queanbeyan.
Geoscience Australia Logs Thousands of Felt Reports
By 7.55pm, Geoscience Australia had amassed more than 4400 felt reports related to the earthquake, highlighting its widespread impact. Some residents near the epicentre in Boorowa described it as the "biggest" earthquake they had ever experienced. One man posted on social media, expressing nostalgia, "... it was the best one I have felt since I was a kid," and noted that his son in Gungahlin also felt the tremors.
The earthquake even made its presence known at notable venues. During a lecture at the National Press Club in Barton, chandeliers shook as University of Canberra vice-chancellor Bill Shorten was speaking, adding a dramatic twist to the evening's events.
Emergency Services Confirm No Major Damage or Assistance Requests
Despite the intensity of the shaking, the ACT Emergency Services Agency reported that no requests for assistance were received in connection with the earthquake. A spokesman confirmed that services, including ACT Fire and Rescue and the State Emergency Service, remained on standby but were not activated. This indicates that while the earthquake was strongly felt, it did not result in significant structural damage or emergencies requiring immediate intervention.
The incident serves as a reminder of the region's seismic activity, with many residents expressing surprise at the strength of the tremors. As investigations continue, authorities are monitoring for any aftershocks or further developments. More updates are expected as Geoscience Australia analyses data from the event.
