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Date: 16 August 2025
A powerful magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck near the rural town of Kilkivan in southeast Queensland on Saturday morning, marking the largest onshore seismic event in the state in over half a century.
🔹 Epicentre and Impact
According to Geoscience Australia, the earthquake occurred at approximately 9:50 AM local time, originating at a shallow depth of just 2 kilometres beneath the surface. The epicentre was located near Kilkivan, a historic gold rush town in the Gympie Region, roughly 256 kilometres north of Brisbane.
Tremors were felt across a wide area of southeast Queensland, including Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and Moreton Bay. Over 6,000 “felt reports” were submitted to Geoscience Australia within the first 30 minutes following the quake.
🔹 Public Reaction and Safety
Residents described the experience as surreal and unsettling. Reports included homes shaking, furniture rattling, and people waking to the sensation of their beds moving. Despite the intensity, there have been no confirmed reports of injuries or significant structural damage.
The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed there is no tsunami threat associated with the earthquake.
Queensland Rail initiated safety assessments across its network and warned of potential delays of up to 30 minutes for some services.
🔹 Historical Context
Earthquakes of this magnitude are rare in Australia, particularly in Queensland. While minor tremors occur regularly, events exceeding magnitude 5 are typically recorded only once every one to two years nationwide. This latest quake is the most significant onshore seismic event in Queensland in the past 50 years.
🔹 Ongoing Monitoring
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. Geoscience Australia is collecting data and encouraging residents to report their experiences to assist in mapping the quake’s impact.
