How many earthquakes have occurred in Newcastle?

Since this time, the region has experienced five earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or larger; the most recent being a magnitude ML 5.1 (MW 4.7) earthquake near Ellalong in August 1994.

How did Newcastle have an earthquake?

The magnitude 5.6 quake that struck Newcastle, in New South Wales, on December 28, 1989, killed 13 people, injured 160, and caused 3.5 billion U.S. dollars worth of damage. That quake was triggered by changes in tectonic forces caused by 200 years of underground coal mining, according to a study by Christian D.

Who did the Newcastle earthquake effect?

The earthquake caused damage to over 35,000 homes, 147 schools, and 3,000 commercial and/or other buildings, with significant damage caused to 10,000 homes (damage worth over $1,000) and 42 schools (structural damage), within the immediate Newcastle area.

How much damage did the Newcastle earthquake cause?

The damage bill was estimated at A$4 billion, with over 35,000 homes, 147 schools, and 3,000 other buildings damaged over an area of 9,000 km2. Around 300,000 people were affected by the damage and 1,000 were made homeless. Although earthquakes are not common in Australia, they are by no means unknown.

Is Newcastle on a fault line?

The earthquake activity in the Newcastle region is south of the north and east dipping Hunter- Mooki Fault System.

What time of day was the Newcastle earthquake?

At 10.27am on Thursday, 28 December 1989, Newcastle was devastated by an ML 5.6 (Richter magnitude) earthquake. This was one of the most serious natural disasters in Australia’s history.

Where do earthquakes occur most often Why?

The world’s greatest earthquake belt, the circum-Pacific seismic belt, is found along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, where about 81 percent of our planet’s largest earthquakes occur. It has earned the nickname “Ring of Fire”.

Is Australia due for an earthquake?

How common are earthquakes in Australia? Australia is not particularly known for earthquakes, but they do occur.

Where do 90% of earthquakes occur?

Pacific Ocean
The “Ring of Fire”, also called the Circum-Pacific belt, is the zone of earthquakes surrounding the Pacific Ocean- about 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur there.

What country has the most earthquakes?

Japan
For which country do we locate the most earthquakes? Japan. The whole country is in a very active seismic area, and they have the densest seismic network in the world, so they are able to record many earthquakes.

How many people died in the Newcastle earthquake?

The earthquake claimed 13 lives: 9 people died at the Newcastle Workers Club, 3 people were killed in Beaumont Street Hamilton, and one person died of shock 50,000 buildings were damaged (approximately 40,000 of these were homes) The effects were felt over an area of about 200,000 sq. km, with isolated reports of movement up to 800km from Newcastle

What was the magnitude of the 1989 Newcastle earthquake?

At 10.27am on Thursday, 28 December 1989, Newcastle was devastated by an ML 5.6 ( MW 5.4) earthquake. This was one of the most significant natural disasters in Australia’s history.

Who was police officer in Newcastle during earthquake?

Former NSW police officer Simon Joice was starting out on his first shift in uniform when the quake struck. (Facebook) “We went into Beaumont Street, saw the carnage, the collapsed lift well on the Greater Building Society and knew it was an earthquake.”

How many buildings were destroyed in the Newcastle Fire?

Damaged buildings: 50,000 buildings were damaged; about 80 percent of these were homes. Demolition: 300 buildings were demolished including more than 100 homes, The Newcastle Workers Club, The Century Theatre and King’s Hall. Human effects: 300,000 people were affected and 1,000 made homeless.