5.9 magnitude earthquake jolts South East Australia

In Australia, the south-eastern city of Melbourne was shaken by a rare earthquake at 9 am on Wednesday. Its intensity was measured at 5.9 on the Richter scale. The earthquake intensity was such that many buildings shook and the walls began to collapse.

People came out on the streets of the city in panic. Its tremors were felt for hundreds of kilometers. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was first reported to be of 5.8 magnitude, later it was increased to 5.9. Its depth was 10 km from the ground.

After the earthquake, debris was scattered in Chapel Street, Melbourne. Here bricks and stones started falling from the buildings on the roads.

Earthquakes occur less in this area

The Southeast part of Australia is not known for earthquakes. Therefore, an earthquake here is considered a rare event.  Before this, there was a powerful earthquake here in the year 1800, since then no major earthquake has caused damage here. An earthquake occurs here once in 10 to 20 years. The last earthquake tremors were felt in 2012.