Find out what to do and how to stay safe when an earthquake occurs. Visit the Earthquake - How to stay safe page.

What is an earthquake?

An earthquake is the shaking and vibration at the surface of the Earth caused by underground movement along a fault plane, or by volcanic activity.

Unlike other countries such as Japan, New Zealand and Indonesia, Australia does not lie in close proximity to a tectonic plate boundary where large earthquakes can occur. However, communities in Australia can still experience damaging and deadly earthquakes.

The most destructive earthquake to affect Australia in recent times was the Newcastle earthquake in 1989, which killed 13 people and injured 160.

We've put together some important information that can help you learn more about earthquakes, including what to do before, during and after one. Click on the links below to find out more:

Earthquake notifications are provided by Geoscience Australia, who analyse and reports on earthquakes within Australia and internationally.

Earthquake notifications for Victoria can be found on the Geoscience Australia website.

There is no accepted method to predict earthquakes, however, some regions are more prone to earthquakes than others due to their location in proximately to earthquake faults.

When an earthquake occurs, Geoscience Australia and the Victoria State Emergency Service will work together to notify the community.