An earthquake with an epicentre located just outside of the town) since 1977, residents across the region felt another quake on April 14, this one recorded as a 4.5 magnitude earthquake, a new record.
The quake’s epicentre was recorded near Cadia Mine at 8.19pm with a depth of five kilometres.
Less than an hour later, more than 2280 ‘felt reports’ had been reported across NSW and ACT.
According to Geoscience Australia senior seismologist, Doctor Phil Cummins, the earthquake was the largest ever felt in the area.
Shakes were felt as far as Dubbo, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, Young, Bowral, Wagga and Sydney.
Since 1977, only five earthquakes (of a lesser scale) have been reported.
Cadia Mine is located within the Cadia Valley, approximately 20 kilometres away from Orange, and is used for gold mining. It took 10 hours to safely evacuate all the miners who had been beneath the surface at the time of the quake.
The earthquake follows two 2.7 magnitude quakes that struck the area in 2017, a partial collapse occurring within the mine. A subsequent report found the quakes hadn’t subsequently caused the collapse, but may have contributed to fractures. The mine was closed for three months until it was deemed safe to resume work.
Several locals within the area are concerned that the earthquake could be related to isostatic readjustment (the movement of land, particularly seen in mining communities).
Mining, fracking and wastewater injection (or anything that may cause harsh readjustment to the landscape or relevant plates) may be related to seismic activity by stressing the landscape, however it is not yet possible to tell the exact cause of the record-making earthquake.
Calling for an independent review NSW Greens MP and mining spokesperson, Cate Faehrmann, says a thorough probe into the potential cause and whether links could be drawn between seismic activity and gold mining – such as to the extent seen in Cadia Mine.
Two aftershocks of a similar depth were felt widely and recorded at 2.4 magnitude and 2.2. Both hit close to the mine’s tailings dams, which held tonnes of waste slurry.
‘Felt reports’ stated a sound not dissimilar to that of a jet roaring past for 20 seconds. Others recorded houses “jumping four inches”, houses creaking and windows rattling.
No injuries were recorded following the earthquake and its aftershocks. The Cadia mine has been temporarily closed following some damage to underground facilities. It is currently unknown when work will resume.
All earthquakes are logged using the Richter scale.
Geoscience Australia urges anyone who feels they have experienced anything to log a report, as it aids in providing accurate and succinct information to improve their data collection on the event.
– Elizabeth Kovacs
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