Aftershocks of Vic quake felt across state

20 Jun 2012, 7:46 am   -   Source: AAP
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(Image: ABC)

(Image: ABC)

Victoria has experienced up to 60 aftershocks following Tuesday's earthquake.

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Up to 60 aftershocks have been felt across Victoria following Tuesday's 5.3-magnitude earthquake.

The quake struck just before 9pm (AEST) with the epicentre between Trafalgar and Moe in the state's southeast.

The shaking lasted around 30 seconds but could be felt from Gippsland to metropolitan Melbourne and as far as Swan Hill in the state's northwest.

Seismologist at Geoscience Australia, Marco Maldoni, said the aftershocks were minor but may continue to be felt for weeks.

"These are a lot smaller than the initial earthquake, the vast majority below a two or three (magnitude)," he told AAP.

"Quite a number of them could only be felt within the noise of the signal.

"We're talking about magnitude 1, so very small."

A cat video with a difference was posted on YouTube.

Mr Maldoni said the quake was the largest in Victoria since 1982 and the state's third largest in 100 years.

"In terms of earthquakes this is a minor earthquake, but let's keep in mind the 1989 Newcastle earthquake was 5.6 magnitude and people died," he said.

"It is certainly significant for Australia and particularly for Victoria."

Mr Maldoni said Gippsland was one of three areas in Australia where you could experience an earthquake of significant size, including the Flinders Rangers and Western Australia.

"People around Korumburra in Gippsland have been feeling earthquakes for the past few years. That's indicative of the fact there's a number of fault-lines in that part of the state," he said.

"These are basically cracks in the earth's crust where stress is much more easily released then other parts of the state."

Victoria has experienced an earthquake of comparative size on average once every 15 years since 1900.

The State Emergency Service (SES) responded to 25 requests for assistance in the hours after the quake, with the bulk of calls coming from Gippsland.

But SES spokesman Lachlan Quick said he expected a spike in calls as daylight revealed further damage.

"We had a garage collapse in Morwell and the Woolworths in Moe is actually getting assessed before they open that to the public.

"I think there will be more of those calls coming through as we get some daylight on the situation."

Mr Quick urged people not to re-enter any buildings that appeared damaged until the structures had been assessed.

"One of the main rules is if you can see any damage at all to the property you shouldn't be in there," he said.

The majority of SES call-outs came in and around Moe with around 10 calls from metropolitan Melbourne.

Anthony Atkin, the duty manager of the Criterion Hotel at Trafalgar, just west of Moe, said he feared for his life when the quake hit.

"I thought the roof was going to fall down," Mr Atkin said.

"Everyone in the hotel ran outside, it was like a train was coming through the hotel.

"I've been here for 44 years and never felt anything like it."

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