Earthquake in Indian Ocean felt from Broome to Perth
Key points:
- Authorities received more than 1,000 reports from residents who felt the quake from Darwin to Perth
- Seismologists describe the earthquake as “quite a rare event”
- There have been many reports of minor damage, but no major damage at this stage
A magnitude-6.6 earthquake in the Indian Ocean has been felt across large parts of Western Australia.
The quake struck about 200 kilometres off the coast, between Broome and Port Hedland at 1:39pm on Sunday.
Geoscience Australia has updated the quake after earlier reporting it as a magnitude-6.5.
It makes Sunday’s quake one of the most powerful ever to hit WA, although its impact is nowhere as severe as the magnitude-6.5 quake which hit the Wheatbelt town of Meckering over 50 years ago.
PHOTO: The quake struck early on Sunday afternoon. (Supplied: Geoscience Australia)
Authorities have received more than 1,000 reports of tremors in total, including from residents across the Kimberley and as far away as Perth and Darwin.
There has been minor structure damage to buildings around Broome, but no reports of major damage.
Stock at a number of stores was damaged when goods fell to the floor during the tremor.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said a number of triple zero calls were received initially, but it is not thought anyone has been seriously injured.
Beaches around Broome were closed over concerns about tidal surges, but have since been reopened.
The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre website stated there was no risk of a tsunami.
Residents warned to expect further quakes
PHOTO: Many local supermarkets reported stock damage. (Supplied: Jessica Stephens)
Geoscience Australia seismologist Phil Cummins said it was not a common event.
“It’s quite rare … you might see this event every 20 years,” he said.
“There’s been over 1,000 felt reports all the way from Darwin to Perth and there have been preliminary reports of some damage.
“It’s always difficult to say whether it could be a preview to something bigger.
“You certainly can expect aftershocks, so there will definitely be earthquakes that are smaller than this one occurring with less and less frequency as time goes by, less and less intensity.
“People should be aware that there’s always a possibility this could trigger another one nearby.”
Everyone ‘just started running’
The earthquake was also felt strongly on the Dampier Peninsula north of Broome.
David Channing lives at Mercedes Cove about 170km north of Broome.
“It came like three waves, quite strong, it’s been like 20 years since I’ve felt one,” he said.
“It was pretty freaky, the building started creaking and carrying on.”
Shortly after the quake, Mr Channing received a call from his sister-in-law, who had been in Broome’s shopping centre when it struck.
