Australia: Earth Quake Rocks Victoria

Largest earthquake in three decades 

Rocks Victoria

• Erin Michael 
• Herald Sun 

• 
  

• June 20, 2012 12:18AM

A MAGNITUDE 5.3 earthquake shook homes, cracked windows and walls, and threw residents from their chairs.

Millions across Victoria felt the tremor, which had an epicentre 16km south-west of Moe, at theLatrobe Valley in Victoria's east.

The quake struck at 8.53pm and lasted for 30 seconds, Geoscience Australia spokesman Chris Thompson said.

Up to four aftershocks have been felt surrounding the earthquakes epicentre in the La Trobe Valley in the states east, he said.

''We've had reports from central Melbourne and as far as right up the top of the state. Most people would have felt it,'' Mr Thompson said.

Report United States Geological Survey and Here 

"In the state's northeast, Bright resident Mandy Ditcham said she felt her house shake just before 9pm and initially thought it was high winds.
''I was sitting by the computer and I felt the ground shaking,'' Ms Ditcham said,
''I thought it must have been really windy outside. It was making the house shake... it lasted for about 10 seconds.''
Ski lodges also shook, with Falls Creek spokeswoman Debbie Howie stating it had lasted about 20 seconds in the Alpine region
Newborough resident Amanda Waterston said it was the worst quake she had ever felt.
''The pictures and plates on top of TV unit fell over, my cup of tea and small ornaments, and one of the towel racks in the bathroom, bounced away from the wall.
''My daughter slept through it all - she's 16 months old.
''I wasn't too scared because I knew it wouldn't get worse. It was the strongest on I've ever felt.''
Ron Smith from Kew said his whole house shook.
''We heard a roar and thought it was the wind,'' he said.
''The floor and the walls shook, the whole house shook.''
Jan Turnbull of East Bentleigh was in bed when the room started moving.
''My lamps were shaking and the windows were rattling, it was quite strong,'' she said.
Glen Waverley resident Susan Zunk and her husband felt the tremor as if it was a rollercoaster ride.
''I could feel the vibrations through the floor, we could hear some creaking and cracking noises too. My husband and I just looked at each other and couldn't believe it. It felt like the house was going to fall down.''
Angelique Farrow said it was the strongest quake she had felt in Mornington in 43 years.
Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said planes were grounded for up to 10 minutes while authorities conducted precautionary safety checks across its runways and terminals."