50 years after one of the most powerful earthquakes in Australia

One of Australia's largest recorded earthquakes tore through the wheat-growing community of Meckering in Western Australia on October 14, 1968.

Source: Richie Hann/The West Australian

The earthquake lasted for 40 seconds, was felt across the southern half of Western Australia, and rattled pots and pans as far as 700 kilometres away.

Of the 75 houses in town, 60 had been damaged by the earthquake or later would be condemned.

Buildings such as the bank, churches, and the shire hall were irrevocably damaged.

It was a bustling and vibrant community, but it had been inadvertently built near a fault line.

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