A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck New South Wales today, causing widespread tremors and prompting evacuations. The quake hit just before midday, with its epicentre near Muswellbrook in the Upper Hunter Valley, about 250 kilometres north-west of Sydney. Initially reported as a magnitude 5.0, it was later revised to 4.8. A 2.9 magnitude aftershock followed at 12:15 PM.
The earthquake's impact was felt by over 2,500 people across the state, with reports coming in from as far away as Coffs Harbour, Sydney, and Canberra. The tremors caused significant shaking in areas including Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, and even parts of Sydney such as Mt Druitt and North Ryde.
In Muswellbrook, the earthquake prompted the evacuation of Muswellbrook South Public School and St James Primary School. The latter reported a power outage, with a message to parents stating: “We are all ok. Out on MacKillop [street]. We have no power so if you can please come and get your kids.”
Damage was reported at local businesses, including Aldi and Mitre 10. Aldi experienced roof panel collapses, while Mitre 10 saw stock fly off the shelves. The State Emergency Service reported broken windows at the council depot and multiple calls for assistance due to minor damage, including collapsed chimneys.
Residents shared their experiences on social media. Muswellbrook resident Beryl Hartin described the quake, saying: “There was this boom and the whole house and the front fell off the air conditioner. I wasn’t game to move because I didn’t know what else would fall down. My legs are still like jelly and I’ve got a neighbour here who’s exactly the same. It was a bit frightening, actually, but I knew straight away it was an earthquake.”
Tom Alsleven, who was at work at the Royal Hotel in Muswellbrook, said: “I was just in the bar making a few coffees for the kitchen staff and then we thought there must have been a truck hitting the building. Everyone was just shaken up about it, but went outside and checked everyone was safe… not too much damage at the moment. We’ve had about two or three phone calls now asking if we’re still open.”
Brooklyn Nicholson, who lives in an apartment tower in Forster on the Mid North Coast, commented: “I was like, ‘Am I like going through an earthquake right now?’”
Jenny Furner, at the Gunnedah Conservatorium at Gunnedah Town Hall, said: “I thought the whole building was going to fall down around me. It’s an old building, so you could see the cracks in the wall shaking. I ran in to see if anyone else had felt it and no-one else had felt it, and thought maybe I was going crazy.”
Geoscience Australia confirmed that the quake's epicentre was in Wollemi National Park, near Denman. Despite the noticeable disruption and minor damage, authorities reported no serious injuries. Power outages affected more than 2,500 customers in Muswellbrook and surrounding areas, with crews working to restore service.
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