Earthquakes in Western Australia

Earthquakes have occurred in Western Australia (WA) on a regular basis throughout its geological history.

In 1849, the first earthquake following European settlement in WA was recorded. "On Saturday last, about a quarter past four o'clock a.m., several inhabitants of Perth were awoke by what they conceived to be a slight shock of an earthquake."[1][2][3]

The largest earthquake affecting Western Australia in modern times was an offshore earthquake in 2019, occurring 202 km west of Broome at a magnitude of 6.6 causing minor damage in the town itself. The strongest earthquake with its epicentre on land is the magnitude 6.5 Meckering earthquake of 1968, which caused injuries to at least 17 people and extensive property damage; it was the best-known earthquake in Western Australia the late twentieth century. The previous largest earthquake documented occurred in 1941, at Meeberrie, in the Murchison region. Like many earthquakes it remained little known, due to its lack of impact on urban areas. Initially reported at magnitude 7.2 – 7.3 it was eventually revised down to 6.3 in by Geoscience Australia in 2016. The Meckering quake was also revised down from 6.9 to 6.5 in the same year but in the process overtook the Meeberrie quake in strength.[4]

Recording

Prior to scientific equipment being utilised to record earthquakes, newspaper reports appear to be the main source of historical information.[5] Perth Observatory was the recording location from 1923 to 1959, when the Mundaring Geophysical Observatory was operated by the Bureau of Mineral Resources between March 1959 and April 2000.[6] Subsequent to the closing of the Mundaring observatory, recording locations are more dispersed throughout the state.[7]

Significant earthquakes
locations of significant earthquakes

Western Australia's largest recorded onshore earthquake to date was at the Wheatbelt township of Meckering, in October 1968. See the separate section below. The Cadoux earthquake of 1979 with magnitude 6.1 caused surface rupturing, about 15 km (9.3 mi) long.[8]

The Meckering, Calingiri (several during 1970 and 1971) and Cadoux earthquakes led to the identification of a zone of seismicity known as the South West Seismic Zone.[9] This zone has now been significantly mapped and analysed and is the most active zone in Western Australia.[10]

Exmouth 1906

The earthquake which occurred in 1906 about 400 km (250 mi) NW of Exmouth occurred before world earthquake monitoring had really developed. With an estimated magnitude of 7.5, it is probably the largest earthquake known to have occurred in the Australian region.[11][12]

Kalgoorlie 1917

On 28 August 1917, tremor was reported near midnight in Kalgoorlie, which resulted in an underground rock fall, killing one miner and injuring several others.[9] Also in the 1990s further seismic activity required consideration of seismic activity.[13]

Meeberrie Station 1941

The second largest onshore earthquake to date in Western Australia was on 29 April 1941 at Meeberrie station at 01.35.39 am (Lat −26.90 and Long 115.80). It was initially reported with a magnitude of 7.3 (though some sources give 7.2) but was revised to 6.3 in 2016.[14][15][16][17]

The Meeberrie earthquake was one of the largest to have occurred in Australia. Its Richter magnitude was 7.2 and it was felt over a wide area of Western Australia. Damage from the earthquake was small because of the low population in the epicentral region, but the shaking at Meeberrie homestead was very severe. All the walls of the homestead were cracked, several rainwater tanks burst, & widespread cracking of the ground occurred. Although questionnaires were distributed by the WA Government Astronomer, there has been scant updated information received on known damage.[18][19]

Yallingup 1946

On 20 April 1946 a magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred near Yallingup at 9:13 pm on 19 April 1946 (5:13 local time on 20 April), which was felt at Kirup. A tremor was reported at 5:30 am at Caves House Yallingup and at Busselton on 30 April, which is probably the same event, reported on the wrong date.[9]

Gabalong 1955

Gabalong, 30 August 1955, magnitude 5.8 Gabalong, a small community about 30 km (19 mi) east of Moora and 200 km (120 mi) NNE of Perth. The earthquake, at 9:52 pm local time, was felt at MM VI at Yericoin and Miling, and MM V in Moora. It was felt in Perth at intensities between MM II and MM IV, and at Dongara at MM II. It was preceded by a magnitude 5.3 earthquake at the same location at 2:09 pm on the same day. It was a SouthWest Seismic Zone earthquake, and because of the poor location capabilities at the time, may well be related to a series of earthquakes near Yericoin, which started with a magnitude 5.1 earthquake on 2 May 1949.[9]

Busselton 1959

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred at 12:07 GMT on 3 October (8:07 pm local time) at 34.5 degrees south, 114.5 degrees east. It was felt at Busselton, Yallingup, Margaret River, Bunbury, Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin.[9]

Near Brookton 1963

18 January 1963 at Nourning Spring, approximately 20 km (12 mi) NE of Brookton and approximately 100 km (62 mi) ESE of Perth. It was felt at Intensity VII at Nourning Springs, VI at Brookton, and MM II at Perth. It occurred at 1:49 pm local time, and had a magnitude of 5.4, although it was given a magnitude of 4.9 originally. Many earthquake questionnaires were distributed for this event, and a good isoseismal map was prepared.[9]

Meckering 1968
Main article: 1968 Meckering earthquake

On 14 October 1968 at 10:59 am, an earthquake registering 6.9 on the Richter scale occurred 100 km (62 mi) east of Perth in Meckering, Western Australia.[3] Injuring 20 people, causing over 2 million dollars in damage and felt in towns 650 km (400 mi) away, it is Western Australia's most destructive earthquake to date.

The hypocentre occurred 7 km (4.3 mi) below the earth's surface in the Yandanooka/Cape Riche Lineamen region located east of Meckering. The fault trended on a 32 km (20 mi) north-south arc. Through strike-slip the eastern side of the arc shoved 2 m (6 ft 7 in) westward, 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) upwards and 0.9 m (2 ft 11 in) in a southerly direction which left a distinct trench in its path. This intraplate earthquake is thought to be caused through east–west compressional force within the southwest seismic zone.

Lake Tobin 1970

24 March 1970, magnitude 6.7 near Lake Tobin in the Canning Basin, was the first in a location which had many more earthquakes over the following years. In all, there were three earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or more (24 March 1970, M 6.7, 16 July 1971, M6.4 and 3/10/75, M 6.2), and 25 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or more, the last of which occurred on 13 February 1982.[9]

Calingiri 1970 & 1971

An earthquake struck the Wheatbelt town of Calingiri on 10 March 1970[20] with a magnitude of 5.9. No buildings were damaged despite the epicentre being 3 km (1.9 mi) from the town and the surface being uplifted as much as 30 cm (12 in).[21]

Cadoux 1979

On 2 June 1979 the second-most damaging earthquake in Western Australia's recorded history hit with a magnitude of 6.1. The epicentre was close to the town of Cadoux in the Wheatbelt region about 165 km (103 mi) north east of Perth, Western Australia. One person was injured and 25 buildings were damaged along with roads, railways and power-lines over an area of 4 ha (9.9 acres). The total amount of damage was around A$3.8 million.[22]

Collier Bay 1997

This earthquake, 10 Aug 1997, magnitude 6.3 just off the WA north coast in Collier Bay, was the largest Australian earthquake since the magnitude 6.7 earthquake near Tennant Creek, in the Northern Territory, in January 1988.[9]

Burakin swarm 2000–01

Located near Cadoux (but not on the same physical feature) the Burakin event was named the most significant seismic activity in 40 years.[23]

South of Albany 2001

This very large earthquake on 12 Dec 2001, magnitude 7.1 occurred about 1,000 km (620 mi) southeast of Albany. It was felt in Albany. It was an intraplate earthquake, as it occurred about 1,000 km (620 mi) north of the (constructive) boundary between the Indo-Australian and Antarctic plates.[9]

Kalgoorlie 2010

On 20 April 2010, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred close to Kalgoorlie.[24] The quake caused damage to a number of hotels along Burt street in Boulder and an underpass also on Burt street collapsed. Work in the Superpit and many other mines around Kalgoorlie was also stopped.[25]

Lake Muir 2018

On 16 September 2018 a magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred with its epicentre close to Lake Muir[26] in the South West region. On 13 October another earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 was recorded[27] followed by a magnitude 5.4 earthquake on 9 November.[28]

West of Broome 2019

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck just over 200 km west-southwest of Broome during the afternoon of the 14 July 2019 at a depth of 10 km.[29] While it is tied for largest earthquake in Australian waters and was felt widely across northern Western Australia the isolation of the quake meant only superficial damage was reported in Broome[30]

Marble Bar 2021

On 13 November 2021 a magnitude 5.4 earthquake stuck east of Marble Bar in the evening. The earthquake was 7.3 km deep and was widely felt across the Eastern Pilbara including in Newman, Port Hedland and various mining projects in the area.[31]

Arthur River swarm 2022

The region between Darkan and Wagin, centred on the hamlet of Arthur River has reported over 40 earthquakes since the first event on the 5 January 2022, with the strongest so far a magnitude 4.7 on the 25 January. It was reported as far away as Busselton and Albany with minor damage reported in Wagin.[32]

Southwest region earthquakes
Main article: South West Seismic Zone

See also

Notes
  1. Report of an earthquake felt in Perth on 4 Aug. 1849. The Inquirer, 8 Aug. 1849, p.3a – see also Report of an earthquake at Cossack on Sept. 10 1886 Western mail, 18 Sept. 1886, p.17
  2. "Earthquake Image Gallery". Geoscience Australia. Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  3. Jones, T.; Middelmann, M.; Corby, N.; Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia; Institute of Australian Geographers; Geoscience Australia (2005). Heathcote, R.L.; Thom, B.G. (eds.). Natural hazard risk in Perth, Western Australia (PDF). Australian Government/Geoscience Australia/Bureau of Meteorology. ISBN 1920871438. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 February 2014.
  4. Australia, Geoscience (12 May 2016). "Tennant Creek 1988 earthquake now Australia's biggest after Geoscience revises list". ABC News. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  5. Everingham, I.B. and Tilbury, L. (1971) Information on Western Australian Earthquakes which occurred during the periods 1894–1900 and 1923–1960 Australian Bureau of Mineral Resources Record 1971/80 – quoted as utilising newspaper sources by Gordon and Lewis 1980 p,213 – note also Everingham, I.B. and Tilbury, L. (1972) Information on Western Australian earthquakes 1849–1960. Royal Society of Western Australia. Journal 55, 90–96.
  6. Gordon, F.R and J.D. Lewis (1980) The Meckering and Calingiri earthquakes October 1968 and March 1970 Geological Survey of Western Australia Bulletin 126 ISBN 0-7244-8082-X – Appendix 1 – page 213 Catalogue of Larger Earthquakes recorded in Southwestern Australia and in National archives ref CA 3539 Mundaring Geophysical Observatory, WA http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AgencyDetail.asp?M=0&B=CA_3539%5B%5D
  7. "Seismicity of Western Australia: Seismic Monitoring". University of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 11 July 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2019 – via pandora.nla.gov.au.
  8. Estrada, B.; Clark, D.; Dentith, M.; Wyrwoll, KH (6–8 November 2015). Recognising intraplate seismogenic faults and associated seismic hazard: examples from Western Australia (PDF). Tenth Pacific Conference on Earthquake Engineering. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  9. "Important Historical Earthquakes in Western Australia". University of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 17 July 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2019 – via pandora.nla.gov.
  10. Leonard, M; Darby, D; Hu, G (2007). GPS-geodetic monitoring of the South West Seismic Zone of Western Australia: progress after two observation epochs in 2002 and 2006 (PDF). Australian Earthquake Engineering Society 2007, Wollongong. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2019. The Australian southwest seismic zone (SWSZ) is a north-south trending belt of intra-plate earthquake activity that occurs in the southwest of Western Australia, bounded by 30.5°S to 32.5°S and 115.5°E to 118°E. This is one of the most seismically active areas in Australia, with nine earthquakes over magnitude 5.0 occurring between 1968 and 2002, the largest of these was the M6.5 Meckering earthquake in 1968. Since the SWSZ lies as close as ~150 km (93 mi) from the ~1.4 million population of the Perth region, it poses a distinct seismic hazard.
  11. See List of earthquakes in W.A. 1849–1924 (1929) – in – 'Results of rainfall observations made in Western Australia, p. 91-93, 'Results of rainfall observations made in Western Australia : including all available annual rainfall totals from 1374 stations for all years of record up to 1927, with maps and diagrams : and record of notable meteorological events : also appendices, presenting monthly and yearly meteorological elements of Perth, Broome and Kalgoorlie'. Australia. Bureau of Meteorology.Melbourne : H. J. Green, 1929.
  12. Possible report in Butler, Jack. An elderly Aboriginal's recollection of an earthquake he experienced in the Ashburton district, 19 November 1906 / Jack Butler and Peter Austin. Aboriginal history, Vol.10, no.1 (1986), p.78-84
  13. "Earthquake in Kalgoorlie on 3 September 1991 forces rethink on long term future of underground operations". Gold gazette, 18 March 1991, p. 3
  14. Australia, Geoscience (12 May 2016). "Tennant Creek 1988 earthquake now Australia's biggest after Geoscience revises list". ABC News. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  15. "Australian Web Archive". Archived from the original on 17 July 2004.
  16. The Geraldton Guardian and Express, Tuesday 29 April 1941
  17. Bureau of Mineral Resources Rept No. 132, by I.B. Everingham, 1968 – The Seismicity of Western Australia.
  18. http://www.ema.gov.au/ema/emadisasters.nsf/83edbd0553620d8cca256d09001fc8fd/574856364a736fd9ca256d3300057d00?OpenDocument%5B%5D
  19. "Community Safety". 31 May 2017.
  20. "1970 Calingiri". Australian Earthquake Engineering Society. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  21. Cvetan Sinadinovski. "Seismicity in the South West of Western Australia" (PDF). Geoscience Australia. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  22. "Australia's worst earthquakes". Australian Geographic. 10 July 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  23. "Australian Web Archive". Archived from the original on 11 July 2008.
  24. Magnitude 5.2 – WESTERN AUSTRALIA United States Geological Survey 20 April 2010
  25. Earthquake strikes Goldfields The West Australian 20 April 2010
  26. "Magnitude-5.7 earthquake rocks southern WA". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  27. Kagi, Jacob (13 October 2018). "Magnitude-4.7 earthquake rocks area surrounding Lake Muir in WA's Great Southern". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  28. Ben Anderson (9 November 2018). "Earthquake at Lake Muir shakes Perth and WA's South West". News.com.au. News Corporation. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  29. "6.6 magnitude earthquake 203 km from Broome, Western Australia, Australia". Earthquake Track. Earthquake Track. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  30. "Earthquake in Indian Ocean felt from Broome to Perth". ABC News. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  31. "Magnitude 5.3 earthquake in Pilbara, Western Australia". Geoscience Australia. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  32. "Earthquake 'swarm' rattles WA's south with more than 40 over three weeks". ABC News. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
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