Magnitude 4.8 Earthquake Strikes New South Wales, Causes Damage

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck New South Wales on Friday, causing windows to shatter and a chimney to collapse. Initially reported as a magnitude 5, the quake hit Denman, located in the upper Hunter region about three hours north of Sydney, at 12:02 pm with a depth of 10km.

Over 2,000 residents reported feeling the tremors, with reports coming in from as far as 200km away in Sydney, as well as from Canberra to the south, Armidale to the north, and Dubbo to the west.

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The New South Wales State Emergency Service (SES) responded to numerous reports of minor infrastructure damage but confirmed that no major damage to buildings or infrastructure had been reported. Within two hours of the quake, the SES had received 21 calls, including reports of a building in Muswellbrook with blown-in windows and a chimney that had fallen off a home in Maitland.

Geoscience Australia indicated that the earthquake was felt most intensely around Muswellbrook, about a 20-minute drive from Denman. One resident in Muswellbrook described feeling multiple shocks around midday, stating that it was not just a tremor but a “massive earthquake” that rattled her entire house.

In Scone, approximately 45 minutes from Denman, a resident reported on social media that the quake had caused cracks in their walls.

The SES is also contacting dam owners in the Hunter region to ensure the structural integrity of local dams following the quake.

Key Points:

1. Earthquake Strikes NSW: A magnitude 4.8 earthquake hit Denman in New South Wales on Friday, causing minor damage.
2. Initial Magnitude: The quake was initially reported as a magnitude 5 but later revised to 4.8, with a depth of 10km.
3. Wide Impact: Tremors were felt by over 2,000 people, with reports from as far as Sydney, Canberra, Armidale, and Dubbo.
4. Damage Reports: The State Emergency Service (SES) received 21 reports of minor infrastructure damage, including blown-in windows in Muswellbrook and a fallen chimney in Maitland.
5. Most Affected Areas: The strongest tremors were felt around Muswellbrook, about 20 minutes from Denman.
6. Resident Reactions: Locals described the quake as more than just a tremor, with reports of houses rattling and walls cracking.
7. Safety Measures: The SES is checking with dam owners in the Hunter region to ensure the integrity of dams after the quake.