By STAFF WRITERS
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake shook Victoria this morning.
Geoscience Australia reported the earthquake hit at 9.15am with the epicentre around Woods Point, about 120km north of the Latrobe Valley.
Reports say the earthquake struck at a depth of 10km.
Geoscience Australia announced the earthquake had been revised from 6.0 down to a 5.9.
It also reported a significant 4.0 aftershock 15 minutes after the initial shake.
Geoscience Australia had warned there was a possibility of further aftershocks for weeks, and the potential risk of further earthquakes.
The earthquake also impacted the Traralgon railway line.
Trains on the Gippsland line have been stopped and replaced with coaches while crews are carrying out track, bridge, station and signalling inspections along the entire line.
V/Line is urging passengers to check its website and social media for updates.
Seismology Research Centre chief scientist Adam Pascale said he estimated this was the biggest earthquake in Victoria for the past 30 years.
Mr Pascale said scientists were still analysing local data as it was coming in.
“The main thing for people to realise is to get under cover if they feel a strong tremor such as a table and hang on to protect themselves from any falling debris,” Mr Pascale said.
The quake was felt as far away as Sydney, Wagga Wagga, Canberra, Melbourne, Warrnambool, Bendigo and Tasmania.
The National Earthquake Alerts Centre recorded 10 aftershocks from yesterday’s earthquake.
Nadia Cassidy of Shear Perfection Hair Design in Morwell said the tremors knocked product off shelves inside the shop.
“It felt like waves under our feet,” she said.
“Our stock fell off the shelves… all the lights were going around for a bit.”
The SES has confirmed there was no tsunami threat as a result of the earthquake.
MORE TO COME
