In South Australia the largest known earthquake in Australia has a magnitude of 6.5. It occurred just off the coast between Beachport and Robe on 10 May 1897. It was felt throughout southern South Australia and in southwestern Victoria, and caused liquefaction at Robe, Beachport and Kingston, with sand volcanoes and water spouts. In the first two days, 90 aftershocks were felt at Kingston.
Another earthquake that happened in South Australia had a magnitude 6.0. The epicentre was most likely in the Gulf of St Vincent between Warooka and Adelaide in 1902. It caused significant damage to several stone and masonry buildings in Warooka, includung a school, and was the first earthquake to do damage in Adelaide. It was also the first earthquake in Australia known to have caused fatalities – two people in Adelaide died of heart attacks.
One of Australia's most serious natural disasters occurred on 28 December 1989 when an earthquake shook Newcastle in New South Wales, leaving 13 people dead and more than 160 injured. The damage bill has been estimated at A$4 billion, including an insured loss of more than A$1 billion. The earthquake had a magnitude of 5.6 with an epicentre about 15km south of the Newcastle central business district at an estimated depth of 11km. Only one aftershock, magnitude 2.1, was recorded.
The effects were felt over 200 000 square kilometres with isolated reports of movement up to 800 kilometres from Newcastle. Damage to buildings and facilities was reported over an area extending 9000 square kilometres. The earthquake caused damage to more than 35 000 homes, 147 schools, and 3000 commercial and other buildings. At the height of the crisis, between 300 and 400 people were placed in temporary accommodation. In the month following the earthquake, the Disaster Welfare Recovery Centre assisted almost 14 000 people.
Another earthquake that happened in South Australia had a magnitude 6.0. The epicentre was most likely in the Gulf of St Vincent between Warooka and Adelaide in 1902. It caused significant damage to several stone and masonry buildings in Warooka, includung a school, and was the first earthquake to do damage in Adelaide. It was also the first earthquake in Australia known to have caused fatalities – two people in Adelaide died of heart attacks.
One of Australia's most serious natural disasters occurred on 28 December 1989 when an earthquake shook Newcastle in New South Wales, leaving 13 people dead and more than 160 injured. The damage bill has been estimated at A$4 billion, including an insured loss of more than A$1 billion. The earthquake had a magnitude of 5.6 with an epicentre about 15km south of the Newcastle central business district at an estimated depth of 11km. Only one aftershock, magnitude 2.1, was recorded.
The effects were felt over 200 000 square kilometres with isolated reports of movement up to 800 kilometres from Newcastle. Damage to buildings and facilities was reported over an area extending 9000 square kilometres. The earthquake caused damage to more than 35 000 homes, 147 schools, and 3000 commercial and other buildings. At the height of the crisis, between 300 and 400 people were placed in temporary accommodation. In the month following the earthquake, the Disaster Welfare Recovery Centre assisted almost 14 000 people.