Magnitude-2.8 earthquake reported near Tanunda

Residents in South Australia’s Barossa Valley region were awoken by the rumble of a magnitude-2.8 earthquake in the early hours of Monday morning.

The tremor was recorded at 2.26am October 19, with its epicentre about 1.5 kilometres north-west of Tanunda and 21kms north-east of Gawler.

Hundreds of residents across Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Greenock, Lyndoch, Kapunda, Daveyston and Eudunda reported feeling the tremor, with some describing rattling windows and loud rumbling noises that woke them from sleep.

Geoscience Australia seismologist Tania Page told ABC Adelaide an earthquake of that magnitude typically causes around two to three seconds of shaking, with the noise of the event often compared to thunder, a passing truck or a small explosion.

The tremor follows a magnitude-4.9 earthquake recorded earlier this month near Leongatha in Victoria on October 3, which generated more than 21,000 felt reports across Victoria and New South Wales, and was felt as far north as Canberra.

Geoscience Australia says, on average, Australia expereinces an earthquake of that moderate to large magnitude two or three times a year.

Earthquake Safety Advice from Geoscience Australia:

Earthquakes can and do occur anywhere and at any time. Geoscience Australia works with governments, industry and communities to help reduce the impact of disasters on our country, and to help build more resilient communities now and in the future.

To protect yourself during an earthquake, the best advice is to drop, cover and hold on. First, drop to your hands and knees, bend over to protect your vital organs, and protect your head and neck with your hands. If you can, find something sturdy to shelter under, such as a desk or table, and hold on by gripping a table leg or other part of your sturdy shelter. Check out our Great ShakeOut page for more information.

And don’t forget, if you felt the earthquake, please complete a felt report at https://earthquakes.ga.gov.au.