Earthquakes in Western Australia
Encyclopedia
Western Australia
has had a regular history of earthquakes throughout its geological history.
During European occupation — and since the science of seismology has developed — some earthquakes are better known due to their impact on urban areas.
The Meckering earthquake of October 1968 is considered the main impacting earthquake on Western Australia of the twentieth century.
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. Subsequent to the closing of the Mundaring observatory, recording locations are more dispersed throughout the state.
The Cadoux
earthquake of 1979 with magnitude 6.1 caused surface rupturing, about 15 km long.
The Calingiri
earthquake of June 1971, along with the Meckering and Cadoux earthquake record led to the identification of a zone of seismicity known as the South West Seismic Zone
. This zone has now been significantly mapped and analysed and is the most active zone in Western Australia.
, which resulted in an underground rock fall, killing one miner and injuring several others. Also in the 1990s further seismic activity required consideration of seismic activity.
and 200 km 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.
was prepared.
, as it occurred about 1000 km north of the (constructive) boundary between the Indo-Australian and Antarctic plates.
. 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 stopped.
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
has had a regular history of earthquakes throughout its geological history.
During European occupation — and since the science of seismology has developed — some earthquakes are better known due to their impact on urban areas.
The Meckering earthquake of October 1968 is considered the main impacting earthquake on Western Australia of the twentieth century.
Recording
Prior to scientific equipment being utilised to record earthquakes, newspaper reports appear to be the main source of historical information.Perth Observatory
Perth Observatory
The Perth Observatory is the name of two astronomical observatories located in Western Australia.-First Perth Observatory:The original Perth Observatory was constructed in 1896 and was officially opened in 1900 by John Forrest, the first premier of Western Australia. The observatory was located at...
was the recording location from 1923 to 1959, when the Mundaring Geophysical Observatory
Mundaring, Western Australia
Mundaring is a suburb located 34 km east of Perth on the Great Eastern Highway. The suburb is located within the Shire of Mundaring.The Aboriginal name of the area 'Mindah-lung', said to mean 'a high place on a high place', was anglicised to become 'Mundaring'.The Mundaring area is also considered...
was operated by the Bureau of Mineral Resources
Geoscience Australia
Geoscience Australia is an agency of the Australian federal government. It carries out geoscientific research.On a user pays basis it produces geospatial products such as topographic maps and satellite imagery.-History:...
between March 1959 and April 2000. Subsequent to the closing of the Mundaring observatory, recording locations are more dispersed throughout the state.
Significant earthquakes
Western Australia's largest recorded earthquake to date was at Meeberrie station, north of Mullewa, in April 1941. See the separate section below.The Cadoux
Cadoux, Western Australia
Cadoux is a town located in the north eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It is about northeast of Perth, within the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu.The townsite was gazetted in 1929 and the railway siding was opened in the same year...
earthquake of 1979 with magnitude 6.1 caused surface rupturing, about 15 km long.
The Calingiri
Calingiri, Western Australia
Calingiri is a town located north-east of Perth, near New Norcia in Western Australia. It is in the Shire of Victoria Plains.The town derives its name from Calingiri Waterhole, the name of which was first recorded by a surveyor in 1903. The settlement was first proposed in 1914...
earthquake of June 1971, along with the Meckering and Cadoux earthquake record led to the identification of a zone of seismicity known as the South West Seismic Zone
South West Seismic Zone
The South West Seismic Zone is a major intraplate earthquake province located in the south west of Western Australia. The zone exists within an Archaean Shield structure called the Yilgarn Block...
. This zone has now been significantly mapped and analysed and is the most active zone in Western Australia.
Exmouth 1906
The earthquake which occurred in 1906 about 400 km 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.Kalgoorlie 1917
On 28 August 1917, tremor was reported near midnight in KalgoorlieKalgoorlie, Western Australia
Kalgoorlie, known as Kalgoorlie-Boulder, is a town in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, and is located east-northeast of state capital Perth at the end of the Great Eastern Highway...
, which resulted in an underground rock fall, killing one miner and injuring several others. Also in the 1990s further seismic activity required consideration of seismic activity.
Meeberrie Station 1941
The largest earthquake to date in Western Australia was on 29 April 1941 at Meeberrie at 01.35.39 am (Lat -26.90 and Long 115.80) with a magnitude of 7.3. (Some sources give 7.2.)Yallingup 1946
On 20 April 1946 a magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred near Yallingup at 9:13pm 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.Gabalong 1955
Gabalong, 30 August 1955, magnitude 5.8 Gabalong, a small community about 30 km east of MooraMoora, Western Australia
Moora is a townsite located 177 km north of Perth in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. Moora was one of the original stations on the Midland railway line to Walkaway, and the townsite was gazetted in 1895...
and 200 km 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.
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.Near Brookton 1963
18 January 1963 at Nourning Spring, approximately 20 km NE of Brookton and approximately 100 km 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 mapIsoseismal map
In seismology an isoseismal map is used to show lines of equal felt seismic intensity, generally measured on the Modified Mercalli scale. Such maps help to identify earthquake epicenters, particularly where no instrumental records exist, such as for historical earthquakes...
was prepared.
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 (24/3/70, M 6.7, 16/7/71, M6.4 and 3/10/75, M 6.2), and 25 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or more, the last of which occurred on 13/2/1982.Collier Bay 1997
This earthquake, 10 Aug 1997, magnitude 6.3 just off the WA north coast, was the largest Australian earthquake since the magnitude 6.7 earthquake near Tennant Creek, in the Northern Territory, in January 1988.Burakin Swarm 2000-2001
Located near Cadoux (but not on the same physical feature) the Burakin event was named the most significant seismic activity for 40 years.South of Albany 2001
This very large earthquake on 12 Dec 2001, magnitude 7.1 occurred about 1000 km southeast of Albany. It was felt in Albany. It was an intraplate earthquakeIntraplate earthquake
An intraplate earthquake is an earthquake that occurs in the interior of a tectonic plate, whereas an interplate earthquake is one that occurs at a plate boundary....
, as it occurred about 1000 km north of the (constructive) boundary between the Indo-Australian and Antarctic plates.
Kalgoorlie 2010
On 20 April 2010, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred close to Kalgoorlie2010 Kalgoorlie-Boulder earthquake
The 2010 Kalgoorlie-Boulder earthquake was a Richter magnitude 5.0 earthquake that occurred near the city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia on 20 April 2010 at approximately 8:17 am WST....
. 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 stopped.