A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck Queensland on Saturday, shaking homes, cutting power to over 11,000 properties, and rattling residents as far as Brisbane — though no tsunami threat has been issued.
A rare earthquake rattled Australia’s east coast on Saturday (August 16, 2025) when a magnitude 4.9 tremor struck Queensland State, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).
The quake, initially reported as a 5.7 magnitude, struck at a shallow depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), with tremors felt across a wide area.
Australia’s weather bureau quickly confirmed that there was no tsunami threat to Queensland.
Still, the quake left its mark:
- Over 11,000 properties lost power, state-run distributor Energex reported.
- More than 9,000 people told Geoscience Australia they had felt the tremor.
- The epicentre was recorded near the rural town of Kilkivian, about 170 km (110 miles) northwest of Brisbane.
Residents described houses shaking, windows rattling, and power lines swaying, with some reporting it as one of the strongest quakes they’d ever experienced in the region.
While damage reports are still being assessed, emergency services have urged residents to remain alert in case of aftershocks.
