How deep was the earthquake in Melbourne?

Melbourne is the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. At the city’s center is the modern Federation Square development, with plazas, bars, and restaurants by the Yarra River. In the Southbank area, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is the site of Arts Centre Melbourne – a performing arts complex – and the National Gallery of Victoria, with Australian and indigenous art.

How deep was the earthquake in Melbourne?

Melbourne was shaken Sunday by a rare and shallow earthquake – the largest earthquake to hit the Australian city in over a century – swaying buildings but ultimately causing very little damage.

Preliminary information indicated the 3.8-magnitude quake struck the northwestern suburb of Sunbury at 11:41 pm local time at a depth of 2 kilometers (1.24 miles), according to government agency Geoscience Australia.

Adam Pascale, chief scientist at the Victoria-based Seismology Research Centre, said the earthquake was the largest within 40 kilometers of Melbourne since a magnitude 4.5 quake hit in 1902.