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Earth moves this week

For immediate release, Tuesday 22nd April 2003

Geoscience Australia monitors earth-surface processes that pose a risk to urban centres in Australia. Using a national network of seismic stations, we monitor all earthquakes, nuclear explosions and tsunamis in Australia and the Pacific region.

Four earthquakes were recorded in Western Australia during 8 - 16 April.

• Westonia

A moderate earthquake occurred in Westonia at 03.16 WA local time on Wednesday 16 April. The geographic coordinates of the epicentre of this magnitude 2.7 earthquake were 31.96 S, 118.709 E. Several local residents reported that they felt the earthquake.

• Burakin

A small earthquake occurred in Burakin at 14.33 WA local time on Thursday 10 April. The geographic coordinates of the epicentre of this magnitude 2.1 earthquake were 30.5 S, 117.086 E. Generally, an earthquake of this magnitude would not be felt, although it may be felt by people within a few kilometres of the epicentre.

• Scott Reef, north of Broome

A moderate earthquake hit 400km north of Broome on Tuesday 8 April. The earthquake was a magnitude 3.6 and occurred at 11.13 WA local time. The geographic location of the epicentre was 14.642 S, 121.917 E. Generally, an earthquake of this magnitude would be felt by people who are indoors, depending on the distance away from the epicentre. In this case it is unlikely that the earthquake would have been felt on the mainland.

• Offshore west of Geraldton

A magnitude 3.3 earthquake was recorded offshore Geraldton on Thursday 10 April, at 08.41 WA local time. The geographic coordinates of the epicentre were 29.33 S, 114.333 E, approximately 80km south of Geraldton. People generally would not feel an earthquake of this size unless they were within a few kilometres of the epicentre.