Earthquake research reports
Development of the Australian National Regolith Site Classification Map
In implementing the recommendations from the Council of Australian Governments review into natural disaster management arrangements in Australia (Council of Australian Governments, 2004) the Risk Research Group at Geoscience Australia initiated several projects contributing to a national program of systematic and rigorous disaster risk assessments. Geoscience Australia’s Earthquake Risk Model (EQRM) (Robinson et al., 2005) is fundamental to these projects, and is underpinned by a number of key input datasets, including the National Regolith Site Classification Map. The map also represents a significant complementary dataset to the Australian National Earthquake Hazard Map, which is currently under revision.
Community Reports
Earthquakes in the Canberra Region
The Canberra region has experienced an average of one earthquake per year for the past 50 years; and for most residents this information would come as a surprise. The report contains a complete history of seismic activity in and around the nation's capital, using records that date back from as early as 1841. This updated version of the 1996 publication draws upon new seismic data from the past 11 years, in conjunction with felt reports from local residents. Included in the 32 page booklet is an earthquake action guide explaining what to do during and after an earthquake and possible warning signs.
- Earthquakes in Canberra Region [PDF 2.5MB]
Earthquake Risk in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
This report provides details of investigations and research into the risks presented by earthquakes to the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie communities. The process of investigating the risk from earthquakes has led the team to recognise the risk to these same communities from a range of natural hazard phenomena.
Perth, Western Australia
In recent decades there has been significant earthquake activity in the south west seismic zone just east of Perth. Geoscience Australia monitors the seismic activity of this zone and, because it is located near Perth, it was considered vital to incorporate an earthquake hazard model into the Cities Project.
- Earthquake risk chapter (PDF 4.01 Mb)
- Full Perth report introduction.
- Full Perth report summary booklet (PDF 1.80 Mb)
South East Queensland
In comparison to the time-scale of geological processes, the recorded history of earthquake activity in Queensland is too brief to obtain an accurate estimate of the true rate of earthquake activity in the area. According to Rynn (1987) the first earthquake report for Queensland was from Cape York Peninsula in 1866. However, recent research indicates that apparently there were significant earthquakes in 1861 and 1862.
- Earthquake risk chapter (PDF 4.61 Mb)
- Full South East Queensland report introduction and download centre
- Full South East Queensland report summary booklet (PDF 576 kb)
Mackay
The Australian continent is distant from the narrow band of earthquake activity which delineates the boundary between the Australian and Pacific plates and passes through Papua New Guinea, the south west Pacific countries and New Zealand. Mackay is situated more than 1,500 kilometres from this plate boundary. Even though the region is a significant distance from the plate boundary, strong earthquakes have occurred in Australia, and more will occur.
- Earthquake risk chapter (PDF 308 kb)
- Full Mackay introduction and download centre
- Full Mackay report summary booklet (PDF 1.80 Mb)
Cairns
Given the limited instrumental coverage and low population densities of the region, many small and moderate earthquakes will almost certainly have gone undetected. Consequently the earthquake catalogues for north east Queensland are incomplete.
- Earthquake risk chapter (PDF 297 kb)
- Full Cairns introduction and download centre
- Full Cairns report summary booklet (PDF 4.25 Mb)
Gladstone
The study area is on the northern margin of the Wide Bay/Burnett earthquake zone, which is the most active earthquake area in Queensland. The earthquake hazard for Gladstone, as read from a national map, is relatively high for an urban centre in Australia.
Andaman-Sumatra earthquake
Hundreds of aftershocks have followed the Andaman-Sumatra earthquake on 26 December 2004. The magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred where the Indo-Australian plate is being subducted under the Eurasia Plate. This subduction zone stretches from Burma in the west to West Irian Jaya in the east.
AusGeo News Articles
March 2007 On shaky ground? Understanding earthquake ground-shaking in Australia
The devastating 1989 Newcastle earthquake, which resulted in the death of 13 people and caused more than A$800 million in insured losses, showed that Australian communities are not immune to the effects of earthquakes.
June 2006 Estimating the influence of sediments on ground shaking
Many of Australia’s major population centres are built on alluvial plains or coastal margins which are characterised by significant thicknesses of unconsolidated sediment.
Dec 2005 - Crustal deformation from the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake
The Global Positioning System (GPS) and a global network of receivers enable ground motion to be detected at the millimetre to centimetre level before, during and after earthquakes.
June 2005 WA rocked in the old days
South and central west Western Australia experienced major earthquakes in prehistoric times.
Papers by Geoscience Australia Scientists for the Australian Earthquake Engineering Society (AEES)
- Comparison of earthquake source spectra and attenuation in eastern North America and southeastern Australia. 2006. (PDF 464 KB)
- A Seismic Source Zone Model Based on Neotectonics Data. 2006. (PDF 465 KB)
- Shear Wave Velocity measurement at Australian Ground Motion Seismometer Sites by the Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves (SASW) Method
- Reconciling neotectonic and seismic recurrence rates in SW WA.
- An Improved Understanding of Earthquake Ground Motion in Australia
- Ground-Motion Attenuation Modelling in Australia; Implications for Earthquake Hazard and Risk
- Some Empirical relations for attenuation of ground-motion spectral amplitudes in southwestern Western Australia
- Monitoring Of Earthquakes in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, Using a Temporary Seismometer Deployment
- Shear Wave Velocity Profiling in Melbourne Silurian Mudstone using the SPAC Method
Geoscience Australia Library Catalogue
- Search the Library for Earthquake titled books and reports
- Catalogue Search
- Library Services and Access
- Library Contact Information
The Geoscience Australia Library is the premier geoscience library in Australia. Established in 1946, the library has an extensive collection of earth sciences material and is open to the public. More>>
External Research Reports
- University of Western Australia
- University of Queensland
- North Burnett Seismic Network, Central Queensland
- United States Geological Survey
- Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory
Other Links
- Seismology Research Centre (Victoria, Tasmania, NSW, Qld
- PIRSA (South Australia)
- Natural Resources Canada
- GEONET New Zealand
- BGS (British Geological Survey Earthquakes)
- Amateur Seismic Centre India
- EQNET (Earthquake Information Network)