Massive Earthquake Shakes Western New South Wales, Felt as Far as Sydney

A significant earthquake has rocked parts of western New South Wales early Saturday morning, with tremors felt across a wide region, including as far as Sydney. The magnitude 5.2 quake struck just after 2:30 am in a remote area of the Orana region, approximately 90 kilometers north of Nyngan and 160 kilometers southeast of Bourke.

Residents from across the state reported unusual and intense shaking. People in Condobolin described windows rattling, while in Walgett, doors shook violently. In Bugaldie, beds squeaked and homes creaked, and in Narrabri, wooden ducks fell off shelves. Homes in Bingara and Warialda also experienced creaking, with some residents feeling the tremors as a rumbling that lasted around 30 seconds.

Further away, in Dubbo, sleepers awoke to the earth’s rumble, and residents in Wee Waa reported being woken by the tremors. As far as Maitland, some reported their wardrobes shaking, and dogs and birds in Dubbo were “going bonkers” due to the shaking. The earthquake’s impact was so widespread that some described it as “significant.”

Geoscience Australia confirmed the quake’s magnitude and location, noting that it was followed by a magnitude 4.2 aftershock seven minutes later, and a smaller magnitude 3.7 tremor around 5:30 am.

Senior seismologist Trevor Allen stated that hundreds of people had registered feeling the quake on the Geoscience Australia website, emphasizing the event’s importance.

This seismic activity marks one of the most powerful earthquakes in the region in recent times, reminding residents of the geological activity beneath their feet.