Gippsland Quakes: Brace for More Shaking

Residents in Victoria's Gippsland region are being warned to brace for further significant earthquakes. A 3.2 magnitude aftershock was felt by over two thousand people on Wednesday night, with its epicenter near Leongatha. This event occurred less than a week after a 4.8 magnitude earthquake, the largest in Victoria in the past four years, struck near Korumburra on October 3.

Seismology Research Centre chief scientist Adam Pascale advised that those near recent epicenters face an increased possibility of an equivalent or larger event, especially in the weeks following the initial quake. He referenced a 2009 incident where a 4.6 magnitude earthquake in the Korumburra region was followed by another of the same size two weeks later. Pascale recommends securing bookshelves and other items that could fall during strong shaking.

During an earthquake, experts stress the importance of "drop, cover, and hold on" to protect against falling debris, as most injuries result from objects falling. Running outside or to doorways is discouraged. While Australia experiences fewer earthquakes than other global regions, they can be damaging, with the potential for large magnitude events.