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Victorian Earthquakes lead to participation in world’s largest drill

16/10/2024, 10:27 PM
VICSES Glen Eira Unit volunteer Jake Schachter watches on as Jasmine Lewkowicz joins Gardenvale Primary School students in ducking for cover to simulate an earthquake response.

Recent Earthquakes in Victoria have led to VICSES getting behind the world’s largest Earthquake drill and encouraging the public to know what to do if they ever experience a Quake. The Great ShakeOut is global annual drill that takes place on 17 October, encouraging the public to practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On!” during an earthquake.

Victoria recently recorded its largest Earthquake in history on 21 September 2021. The 5.9 magnitude quake with an epicentre at Woods Point in Northeast Victoria caused approximately $113 million in damages (Insurance Council of Australia, 2024), including damage to shopfronts on Chapel Street in Melbourne and hundreds of calls for help to the SES.

Over 43,000 ‘felt reports’ were recorded across Victoria and surrounding states including over 3,000 (9%) who indicated some level of damage ranging from: cracked walls, fallen masonry, and buildings shifting off foundations. As the control agency for earthquake emergencies in Victoria, VICSES volunteers responded to over 100 calls for emergency assistance including over 40 in relation to building damage.

Over 300 aftershocks were recorded in the 24 hours following the Woods Point mainshock, though many of these were of low magnitude and not widely felt.

Aftershocks from this earthquake are still being felt today, including a magnitude 4.6 in June 2023, which generated nearly 12,000 felt reports on Geoscience Australia’s Earthquakes@GA website.

Most recently, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake was recorded in August 2024, with 2,300 felt reports.

VICSES Glen Eira Unit volunteers Tom Szczupak and Jake Schachter joined Jasmine Lewkowicz in teaching Gardenvale Primary School students how to respond in the event of an earthquake.

Geoscience Australia data suggests Victoria experiences an average of six magnitude 3.0 or above earthquakes each year, and one magnitude 5.0 earthquake every fourteen years.

According to Geoscience Australia’s National Earthquake Alert Centre, Victoria has experienced over 200 earthquakes greater than magnitude 2.0 in the past decade.

Analysis from Geoscience Australia of felt reports following the 2021 Woods Point quake showed many people who felt the earthquake did not know, or did not take, recommended actions during an earthquake, such as to drop, cover, and hold. Earthquake readiness can protect lives and communities, which is the goal of holding the annual International Great ShakeOut.

There are resources available, including for people who may not be able-bodied, via the VICSES website. For information on earthquake safety, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/know-your-hazards/earthquake.   

The Great ShakeOut is a day of awareness which promotes emergency preparedness and earthquake safety.

Established in 2008, the day encourages participants to undertake an earthquake safety drill to understand what to do in the event an earthquake strikes. In basic form it teaches people to:

    • DROP where you are and onto your hands and knees.
    • COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand, preferably under a sturdy table or desk, and
    • HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

More than 53 million people worldwide participated in earthquake drills in 2023.

Quotes attributable to VICSES Chief Officer, Operations, Tim Wiebusch:

“The Great ShakeOut participation provides the opportunity to increase awareness of earthquake safety, and improve resilience within our community.”

“As the control agency for earthquakes here in Victoria, it’s our role to help educate community members on what to do in the event of an earthquake and how they can keep safe. When it comes to emergencies, the best defence is to be prepared and know what to do.”

Quotes attributable to Geoscience Australia Earthquake Hazard, Scientist Tamarah King:

“The Great ShakeOut is a way to increase community resilience at all levels.”

“Earthquakes can be sudden and violent, but if we have taken steps to prepare ourselves, those around us, and the structures we live, work, and study in, we can greatly reduce their effects.”