Historical Earthquakes in NSW 1788 – 1959

By Kevin McCue

Abstract Several hundred earthquakes felt in Australia have been documented in three volumes of the Isoseismal Atlas of Australia but sources have not yet been exhausted as we demonstrate with new information on interesting earthquakes in New South Wales thanks to the Australian National Library program Trove, that makes scanned, searchable newspapers publicly available. Studies of the newspapers have helped us recompile Rev W. B. Clarke’s lost list of felt earthquakes and on-going scanning will yield more earthquakes and further modify those listed here.

This study tabulates 375 earthquakes between 1788 and 1960, few of which had magnitudes or locations and so are not in modern catalogues. Magnitude 5 earthquakes in 1860 that caused minor damage in Yass, in 1886 near Lithgow and in 1895 offshore near Montague Island have been re-discovered along with other previously unclassified earthquakes of interest, several mining-induced tremors and a landslip blamed on an earthquake. Strong temporal clustering of earthquakes is noted in NSW in 1870, 1886 and the three decades, 1933 to 1952, in the Gunning region.  Earthquake swarms have ‘magnitude’ here depending on the largest event of the swarm;  ‘small swarms’ occurred near Macleay in 1870 and Young in 1902, medium swarms near Gunning in 1933-1952’, a ‘large swarm’ struck NE Tasmania in 1883-1892, the larger events felt in southeastern NSW.

The largest known NSW earthquakes were those at Gunning in 1934 and Newcastle in 1989, magnitude 5.6, but several others were almost as large. Twenty nine earthquakes of magnitude 5 or more are known since 1788, a ‘large’ earthquake of magnitude 6 or more is surely overdue.

This new data and its interpretation is important for better hazard assessments by improving early earthquake details or extending the earthquake database backwards, to better define source zones and lower the magnitude threshold of completeness intervals. It also serves to remind us that even relatively small earthquakes have the potential to cause structural damage to non-engineered structures as they have done in the past. This is a work in progress.

INTRODUCTION

The seismicity of New South Wales (including the ACT) has received considerable attention since the first earthquake was felt at Sydney Cove within six months of the founding of the new British colony there in January 1788 (see below). Factors for maintaining the interest included that the Rev. W.B. Clarke, recognised as the father of Australian Geology, took up residence in Sydney in 1839 (died 1878), he wrote the first paper about Australian earthquakes and compiled a list of Australian and New Zealand earthquakes (destroyed by fire in 1882, unpublished). 

The first Observatory in NSW equipped with short period seismographs was established at St Ignatius College Riverview in 1909, and is still operating today. Directors of the Observatory, Pigot SJ [the founding Jesuit observer], O’Connell SJ, Burke-Gaffney SJ and Drake SJ [the last Jesuit observer] all contributed greatly to our understanding of NSW earthquakes and were regularly consulted by the media, newspapers in particular.

Others discussed earthquakes in the state of NSW including Griffith Taylor (in Jose and others, 1912) who included an interesting map of places where earthquakes were reported felt according to the Commonwealth Meteorologist. These would have included the large earthquakes originating in north-east Tasmania in the 1880-90s.

Later publications included those of Burke-Gaffney (1952), Doyle, Everingham and Sutton (1968), Doyle, Cleary and Gray (1968), Drake (1974) and Hunter (1991), the former two dealt with the whole continent, Drake focussed on NSW, Doyle, Cleary and Gray and others limited their scope to the Sydney Basin while Hunter, appropriately, studied the Hunter region. 

Many other papers have been written about specific areas like the Snowy Mountains,  Dalton-Gunning, or Newcastle (Hunter, 1991), or about specific earthquakes. Isoseismal maps for Australian earthquakes are compiled in three atlases by Everingham and others (1982), Rynn and others (1987) and McCue (1997). Included are maps of 15, 18 and 25 NSW earthquakes respectively. A number of additional maps have been compiled since the year 2000. It might be assumed there was not much more to add about early earthquakes in NSW.

 Figure 1 Seismicity of NSW since 1885 (Jose and others, 1912); places where earthquakes were felt as compiled by the Commonwealth Meteorologist. 

Figure 2 Seismicity of NSW, 1788 – 2009 (Payne, 2010); compare the pattern of felt reports with the pattern of later epicentres in Figure 1.

 However more information was elicited from previously unavailable newspapers with the publishing on-line, by the Australian National Library, of their scanned collection of early Australian Newspapers. The site TROVE allows users to correct the OCR of the scanned images which makes the collection even more valuable as this corrected text can be searched online by all. Examples of two newspaper that included lists of earthquakes, are included in an appendix. 

So much additional information was found about Gunning region earthquakes for the three decades of the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s, prior to the establishment by the ANU of the local area seismographic network, that a separate report will be issued. The information is harder to extract due to a serious decline in the quality of newspapers in the 1950s.

It has been suggested for two centuries that earthquakes don’t pose a threat to human life or structures in Australia, that somehow Australia’s earthquakes aren’t like, say, New Zealand earthquakes. Geologist Professor Edgeworth-David at Sydney University championed this view: 

“ There is no likelihood, however, of this mountain-building force in New South Wales becoming so accentuated in the near future as to cause earthquakes, such as would shatter buildings, and so endanger life.” The Riverine Grazier (Hay) Friday 21 April 1905, page 4.

What can we do to dispel the Christchurch syndrome – ‘it won’t happen here’?

On the other hand a Cooma newspaper in January 1924 found newsworthy, the fact that no earthquakes were felt there in 1923!

ON TIME 

The term Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) is used here even though it wasn’t adopted until 1 January 1972, replacing Greenwich Mean Time that was introduced in Australia in February 1895. Before that, local mean time was based on noon being when the sun was overhead.

NOTES ON REPORTED EARTHQUAKES

The following notes on individual earthquakes listed chronologically were selectively compiled from newspapers, with comments where appropriate on the magnitude and location or explanations as to decisions made in arriving at a solution. The task is not complete as further newspapers are scanned and made available on-line.

1788 06 22 at 01:00 UTC, Sydney

Australian Town and Country Journal Saturday 19 October 1878, page 17.

THE FIRST EARTHQUAKE RECORDED IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

The following interesting extract is from Governor Phillip’s ” Voyage to New South Wales “:—

 1788—June 22. Slight shock of earthquake in the newly formed settlement of Sydney Cove. It did not last more than two or three seconds. It was felt by most people in camp, and by the Governor himself, who heard at the same time a noise to the south, and which he took at first to be the report of guns fired at a great distance.”

1800 01 17 time ?, Sydney and interior

The Sydney Herald Monday 2 July 1832, page 2 mentions the second noted earthquake in New South Wales but with no details:

A ” Subscriber” enquires what were the particulars attending the earthquake in this Country in the year 1800 ? We have to state that no serious damage was done, and that it was more felt in the interior than in Sydney, but as no paper was published at that period, the only accounts of it existing, are those drawn from tradition, and perhaps from Collins’ account.

The ‘interior’ mentioned was still coastal as Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth didn’t cross the Blue Mountains until 1813. The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Tuesday 14 January 1834, page 2 mentions an earthquake in the ‘Calendar for the Ensuing Week’ Friday 17 – Earthquake at Sydney, 1800. 

1801 02 12 at 13:00 UTC, Penrith

Nostalgia is a wonderful thing: The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Wednesday 26 October 1938, page 68 recalls:

WHEN P’MATTA HAD AN EARTHQUAKE 

Many things have happened in Paramatta including an earthquake. Writing from Parramatta on August 25, 1801, George Caley, the botanist, mentioned it in a letter to Sir Joseph Banks:— 

 “About 11 o’clock at night on 12th February last I was awoke by an earthquake, which gave repeated shocks for about three minutes, though in other places not far from me it was said not to last above a few seconds. At Sydney I believe it was but little felt, but at the Hawkesbury it was felt as severe as with me. “It came from the east and proceeded to the west— that is, it began at the eastern end of the house and went off at the western. If first began like thunder at a distance, and shortly after the floor began to move under me with such violence as I think would have thrown me down had I been standing up or walking.  

 “Fortunately no further damage was done than a few brick houses a little shattered, where it was felt with less violence than with me. Had the like happened in England, the consequence must have been fatal, for the buildings would have been very much shattered and many thrown down. 

 “At this time the weather was hot and close, and the clouds very large. Thunder and lightning is very common but of late we have not had any. I lament that I was asleep, as at first when it waked me I was like as if I was stupified.” 

Hawkesbury is taken to be present-day Pitt Town on the Hawkesbury River; we estimate the size as magnitude 4 and located near present-day Penrith. This should be the first entry in modern earthquake catalogues of NSW.

1804 05 07 at 11:30 UTC, Hawkesbury

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Sunday 13 May 1804, page 1 describes this, the third earthquake:

On Tuesday last the 7th Instant, between nine and ten o’clock at night, the shock of an Earthquake was sensibly felt by all the Inhabitants and Settlers at and about Hawkes- bury, Parramatta, and Prospect Hill. The motion appeared to be an undulation of the earth moving in the direction of N. E. to S. W. and lasted about six seconds. The night was remarkably fine and serene.    

It may be remembered that a very violent shock was felt about two years ago, which occasioned much damage to several Buildings at Parramatta.

It must have been a small local event or it would have been felt at Sydney and more widely. The ‘violent shock’ is presumably the February 1801 event mentioned above. 

1806 09 24 morning local time, Richmond Hill

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Sunday 28 September 1806, page 2. 

On Wednesday morning last a shock of an earthquake was felt at Richmond Hill, of from 28 to 30 seconds duration, the undulation as nearly as could be described, from N.E. to S.W.

1826 04 21 at 10:00 UTC, Parramatta

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Wednesday 26 April 1826, page 2 says:

On the evening of Friday night, about eight o’clock, a slight shock of an earthquake was felt in the town and neighbourhood of Parramatta; and the shock was experienced, much about the same moment, in the district and vicinity of Bunbury Curran (Author: 30 km WSW Sydney). It is now about 26 years since this part of Australia was visited with such a phenomenon, and then it went off in a similar way without producing injury.  

We assume this was a small local event for the listing in Table 1. The journalist remembered the 1800 or 1801 events but not the intervening earthquakes in 1804 and 1806.

1832 03 15 at 02:00 Hawkesbury

The Australian Friday 23 March 1832, page 3 reports:

On the 15th instant, about noon, several slight shocks of an earthquake it is rumored, ” were felt in different places on the south side of the Hawkesbury, from Pitt Town, downwards.”

1832 08 mid-August, Norfolk Island

Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 – 1842), Monday 1 October 1832, page 2

By the Isabella, we hear that Norfolk Island was in a state of perfect tranquillity when that vessel left. The shock of an earthquake was felt about six weeks back, which caused great consternation, but did no mischief.

1837 08 02 at 12:20 UTC, Newcastle

The following extract from the letter of the Rev. Wilton was taken from The Sydney Herald 10 August 1837, page 2. At the end he lists the previous known earthquakes in the colony. This was undoubtedly the largest, and the first of seven magnitude 5 or greater earthquakes in or near Newcastle to 2014. Earthquakes occurred in 1837 in Hobart, Adelaide and Port Phillip too.

EARTHQUAKE AT NEWCASTLE.

To the Editor of the Sydney Herald.

SIR.—The town of Newcastle, on the Hunter, upon the night of Wednesday the 2nd ultimo, at about twenty minutes past ten, was shaken by an earthquake, which occasioned a general consternation amongst the inhabitants. I was at the time sitting in my bedroom, when on a sudden I was alarmed by a cracking noise, which seemed to come from the eastern end of the parsonage, and the chair on which I was sitting was up-heaved; the walls of the house appeared to move ; the timbers of the roof to strain like those of a ship at sea; and the windows were violently shaken. This continued for about the space of two or three seconds. ….. One of my servants who had retired to rest, describes the sensation as if the bed was raised upwards; while another, whose bed was laid upon the floor in another room, thought the floor was being moved from underneath, and that the walls were about to fall. In the kitchen, several utensils of tin were thrown down from the wall, and the plates in the plate rack were struck against each other ; while the man who was in that part of the house states that there was a noise on the shingles as if hailstones were falling upon them, and he ran out to see if such was the case, but there was not a cloud in the sky. In one instance, where a person was sitting at a table, the table seemed to move away, and then to return to its former position. One of the men employed at the signal-station, on the Telegraph-hill, was at the time in the act of stirring up the beacon-fire, situate nearly on the verge of the cliff over the sea, and he states, that the earth appeared to quiver beneath him, so that he hardly knew whether he was upon his feet or not ; while the walls of the windmill on the opposite heights, above the church, are described by the night-watchman within them, as if about to tumble, to such a degree did they tremble. The shock in short was generally felt by those who had not gone to their night’s rest, and many who were asleep at the time were awakened by it, and rose up to inquire the cause. The men who were at work in the coal mines, twenty-three fathoms below the surface, experienced nothing of the shock, while those of their companions who were above ground were greatly terrified by it; and it would seem that it was felt with the greatest severity on the more elevated situations. …..

On reference to the ” Chronology of the most remarkable occurrences from the first establishment of Australia down to 1829″ in the Australian Almanack, we find notices of four shocks of earthquake in this Colony, and of one in Van Diemen’s Land, viz —on the 22nd of June, 1788 ; 17th of January, 1801; 7th May, 1804; 24th September, 1806, and at Launceston on the 28th of November, 1823. These are, I believe, all the shocks upon record as having been felt in these Colonies; and whether they were greater than, or inferior to the one I have now endeavoured to describe, we have now no opportunity probably of ascertaining ………

I remain, Sir,  

Your obedient Servant,

C. PLEYDELL N. WILTON. Parsonage, Newcastle,  

August 4, 1837.  

The Sydney Monitor Monday 14 August 1837 page 2 mentions that this earthquake was felt (slight) in Sydney but that it did not awake the sleeping reporter. 

1839 08 17 at ~01:00 UTC, Sydney?

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Saturday 7 September 1839, page 2 comments:

EARTHQUAKE. -The Herald states, on the authority of a correspondent at St. Vincent’s, that on the 17th August, in the forenoon, he experienced something like the shock of an earthquake.

There is not enough information to estimate a location or magnitude, or even verify its origin in Australia.

1841 01 27 at 21:15 UTC, Newcastle

The Sydney Herald, Friday 19 February 1841, page 2.

To the Editor of the Sydney Herald.

Sir,—The Rev. W. B. Clarke, in your paper   of the 9th instant, in his account of the shock of the Earthquake on the 28th of last month, as felt at Parramatta, mentions the state of the weather, and the many beautiful meteors which he had recently observed……….. I have now before me the account of the shock of an Earthquake, which, with many other persons, I felt at Newcastle on the night of the 2nd of August, 1837, and of which I gave a description in the Sydney Herald the 10th of that month. From that it must appear that the shock came in a similar direction to that of the 28th of last month (which however was not felt at Newcastle) and it was preceded also by extraordinary atmospheric phenomena. The shock on the 28th was felt very strongly on the William and Patterson Rivers (as was also that of the 2nd of August, 1837) at Morpeth, East and West Maitland, and at Patrick’s Plains. At West Maitland the labourers employed in erecting the Church thought that the building was coming down, as did also a man at work within the lately consecrated Church of St. James’s, Morpeth, with respect to that building, out of which he ran upon feeling the strong vibrations accompanied by a rumbling noise. A resident upon the banks of the Hunter at Morpeth, likens the noise which he heard to that made by the paddle-wheels of a steam-boat in the first instance  (so much so that he looked up to see if the steamer were coming) and then to that occasioned by the motion of a waggon laden with iron rods over a hard road. In each instance it would appear that the vibration seemed to come from about the north. From the information already obtained respecting this shock on the 28th instant, we perceive that it extended over a greater line of country and was attended by more violent effects than that to which I have alluded in 1837. …………    

I remain, Sir,

Your obedient servant,  

C. PLEYDELL N. WILTON.

Parsonage, Newcastle,  

February 13, 1841    

P. S.—A report has just reached me that Mount Wingen has ” tumbled in,” and there are some who account for the late earthquake from this circumstance. The shock, if it reached that spot, may have caused such a change as reported in our Burning Mountain — but nothing more.

An isoseismal map was published (McCue, 1996), but with a typo in the time, showing strong shaking in the Newcastle area as reported also by Hunter (1990) in contradiction with Wilton’s comment above. Several other points can now be added to the map but do not change the general shape. 

1842 03 02 at 22:45 UTC, Bathurst

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser of Tuesday 8 March 1842 page 2 recounts the following: 

BATHURST, EARTHQUAKE. – We have been informed by a gentleman who arrived here on Saturday from Bathurst, that on Thursday last, the inhabitants of that township were thrown into a state of great alarm by several awful shocks of an earthquake, which continued to be felt at intervals during a great portion of the day. Several houses have sustained considerable injury, amongst others the store of Mr. Lord, which has been laid in ruins. We have not heard the extent of property destroyed, or whether any lives have been lost. On Friday our informant experienced the shock of an earthquake as he was descending the Mountains. In our next publication we shall probably have it in our power to lay the full particulars before our readers. The public are doubtless aware that shocks of earthquakes are of frequent occurrence in the interior, but fortunately hitherto they have neither been violent nor of long duration.

The Sydney Morning Herald report of the same day page 2 is far less dramatic, the shock occurred at ¼ before 9 A.M. on Thursday, did cause several parties to rush outdoors and lime was shaken off the front of two or three houses (the extent of damage), and bottles jingled together in the dispensary. From this description we glean that: an earthquake and aftershock did occur near Bathurst causing minor damage but was not reported felt elsewhere, perhaps magnitude 3.5 to 4.0.

1842 10 27 at 19:30 UTC, Newcastle

Two earthquakes were reported felt that morning at Newcastle, Patrick’s Plains and Paterson, the first one was only slight. The larger one was felt widely; sharp at Port Macquarie, Maitland, Dunmore, Raymond-terrace Singleton and Kempsey, distinct at Windsor and Stroud, and slight at Parramatta. Hunter (1991) catalogued the earthquake and an isoseismal map was published (McCue, 1996) yielding a magnitude of 5.3.  The Sydney Morning Herald  Tuesday, November 1, 1842, page 2. 

THE EARTHQUAKE.

AMONG our news from the interior will be found notices from Windsor, Newcastle, and Port Stephens, of the earthquake which occurred on Friday morning, and the course of which is thus traced for upwards of a hundred miles. We shall feel obliged by well-authenticated notices from other parts of the colony where it may have been felt, with reports of attendant phenomena, as we are anxious that full particulars of all such occurrences should be recorded in the Herald for future reference.

NEWCASTLE-EARTHQUAKE.    

On Friday morning last, the 28th instant, two shocks of earthquake were felt at New- castle, by many of its inhabitants, who were awoke thereby out of their sleep, and who describe their beds as if tilted on one side, and on regaining their original position being violently shaken under them, while the walls of their chamber seemed to be falling down. Those persons who had risen from their beds when the second shock occurred, about half past five, state the earth as quivering beneath them, and themselves shaken, and as if lifted off the ground. Extraordinary atmospheric changes had taken place previous to this phenomenon ; particularly on the Monday preceding, during the whole of which day a thick haze prevailed, accompanied by a death-like stillness, the wind suddenly veering from W. to E. in the afternoon, the same stillness continuing. On Tuesday evening, there was incessant lightning to the E., while on Thursday there was thunder and rain from the S. W. The present instance makes the fourth shock of earthquake felt on the Hunter since the commencement of the month of August, 1837. I trust that this notice of these tremblements de terre which occurred at Newcastle yesterday morning, may be the means of inducing other individuals who may have experienced their effects in other localities, to make known their observations through the  medium of your journal.

1849 12 12 at 09:00 UTC, first reported earthquake at Yass

The Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser Sunday 22 December 1849, Page 5.

EARTHQUAKE AT YASS. —Some of our friends at Yass have denied that a shock of an earthquake was felt in their township on Thursday sen’night. They must be well aware that it is not fault of ours that they were not sensible of the vibration. That there was a shock is beyond all doubt; and we regret that those who never experienced the singular sensation produced by these freaks of nature, were not gratified on the late occasion. A youth, who knew nothing about earthquakes, went down to the river to water a horse. When he arrived near the brink, the stream was flowing steadily along, within its usual bounds. In a moment afterwards the earth trembled, and the water rushed over the bank and passed under his feet. Several of the townspeople felt the shock also whilst sitting in their houses.

It was not reported felt at Goulburn or anywhere other than Yass so we assume it was a small local near Yass. The description is compatible with a seiche in the river which is unusual. 

1850 09 23 at 17:20, Good Hope, on the Murrumbidgee

A postscript on a letter by the Rev W. B. Clarke to The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 1 October 1850 page 2 alerts us to a small earthquake near Yass.

EARTHQUAKE. I have also to-day received information that a smart shock of earth- quake was felt at Good Hope, on the Murrumbidgee, on the morning of Tuesday last, at 20 minutes past three o’clock A M. It was preceded by a loud rumbling noise from the south-ward, and the shock was felt also 20 miles to the north-west. Till the house shook, the sound was taken for thunder.

W. B. C.

St. Leonard’s, September 30.

1850 11 30 at 02:30 UTC, Abercrombie River

The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser Saturday 14 December 1850, p1. SHOCK OF AN EARTHQUAKE.—The following letter from Mr. Armstrong, of Flowerdale, contains a detailed account of a shock of an earthquake felt near the Abercrombie River :—”I beg to inform you that between twelve and one o’clock of the 30th ultimo, a smart shock of an earthquake was felt in this neighbourhood. The day was very warm, not a cloud to be seen, nor a breath of wind stirring. The shock was accompanied by a rumbling noise like distant thunder. One of my sons was out walking at the time, and was nearly thrown to the ground; a neighbour was at dinner at the time, when his ducks and fowls flew up from the ground, making  a sharp noise, which brought the family out to see what had frightened them ; they also heard the rumbling noise, but considered it was thunder.

1852 03 06 at ~18:45 UTC, Gunning

This earthquake would have been strongly felt at Collector let alone Canberra had they existed, details below. 

Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal  Wednesday 17 March 1852, Page 2.

Earthquake.— On Sunday morning the 7th instant, about a quarter to five o’clock, a.m., a great number of the inhabitants of this district were aroused from their slumber by the shock of an earthquake, which lasted several seconds ; it was felt at Binda, forty-six miles to the north-west;  at Lake George, at Gunning, at Braidwood, and at Yass; at the latter place, according to report, it was more violent than at Goulburn, when some of the people thought it violent enough, it having shaken the rings of their bed curtains and the crockery of their wash-stands till they rung again. Those who had visited the countries subject to those convulsions, were at no great loss to tell what was the name of the disturber of their rest ; some take upon them to affirm that there were two shocks, and that one of these lasted from six to eight seconds, and was preceded by a sound like distant thunder, which was closely followed by the shock.—Goulburn Correspondent of the Herald. 

Figure 3 The orange ellipse encompasses those places where shaking from the 1852 Gunning earthquake was reported. 

The earthquake was also felt at the property Castlesteads and at nearby Burrowa, violent rocking, for a few seconds, according to The Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser, Saturday 20 March 1852, Page 3. The felt area is compatible with an earthquake of at least magnitude 4.6, the epicentre northwest of present-day Collector.

1854 03 08 at 08:30 UTC, Tamworth

Freeman’s Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 – 1932), Saturday 18 March 1854, page 3

TAMWORTH.

(From the Maitland Mercury.)

Shock of an EARTHQUAKE.—Wishing to ascertain if any corroboration may be had of a sensation of an earthquake— most perceptibly felt here on last evening, at half-past six o’clock, by my watch — I beg to mention the facts. A neighbour and myself were sitting close together in conversation, no other person being in the house at the time, when we most perceptibly felt our chairs and the entire house tremble under us, and a noise as if a number of goats or other animals were rushing overhead. We both ran out to see what could have been the cause, but of course saw nothing that could have occasioned the sensation, and naturally concluded that it must have been a similar shock of earthquake to those previously experienced both here and elsewhere. I merely mention the matter with the view of eliciting observation. The evening was exceedingly sultry, and heavy clouds over-head all the afternoon ; there was much thunder and rain at night. Tamworth, March 9, 1854. 

1854 09 02 at 19:00UTC, Kempsey

Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 – 1875), Tuesday 3 October 1854, page 5

KEMPSEY, MACLEAY RIVER.

In the early part of this month (the 3rd) a very smart shock of an earthquake was felt in this place and neighbourhood. It occurred in the early part of the morning, about an hour before daybreak, awaking out of their sleep and alarming many persons, whose conjectures and conclusions were as curious as various ; but those who had experienced the effects of such phenomena soon solved the mystery.

1856 04 21 at 23:27 UTC, Namoi

Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 – 1875), Wednesday 30 April 1856, page 5

EARTHQUAKE AT THE WOOLSHED, NAMOI.—On Tuesday, 22nd instant, at 27 minutes past 9 a.m., a shock of earthquake was distinctly felt at the Woolshed. It commenced with a loud report similar to a clap of thunder, and lasted about 10 seconds ; it went off with a rumbling noise towards the south-west; during the time the earth shook and the glass windows vibrated with a jingling noise. The atmosphere was beautifully clear, and not a breath of air stirring.

1857 12 10 at 00:00 and 04:00 UTC, Gunning 

Empire Saturday 12 December 1857, Page 2

SHOCKS of AN EARTHQUAKE.—On Thursday last about 10 o’clock, a.m., the shock of an earthquake was felt at Gunning, and a second one was experienced about 2 o’clock on the same afternoon. It was felt at the west of Gunning and southward as far as Ben Barker’s at the Run of Water. Persons residing about two miles on the other side of Lodge’s state that their hut appeared to sway from side to side. The direction the earthquake took was east to west. The atmosphere was sultry and not a breath of wind stirring.

Empire Tuesday 15 December 1857, Page 5.

EARTHQUAKE.—The shocks of an earthquake felt at Gunning on Thursday, were also perceptible at Collector, on that day. In several houses the crockery-ware was violently shaken, and much alarm was experienced by the occupiers. Shortly after 12 o’clock a.m., on Wednesday the shock of an earthquake was felt in Goulburn by several persons. The houses occupied by them shook to their foundations. This is the third shock that has been felt in town during the last five years. The weather on the night we allude to was very boisterous, the wind blowing violently in gusts, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and rain.

The Goulburn event on Wednesday may well have been thunder but the two earthquakes on Thursday could not be confused with thunder. We assume they originated near Gunning and were each about magnitude 3.

1858 06 24 at about 09:00 UTC, Murray River

The following story about an earthquake near Pyramid Hill or Echuca, both well known for their recent earthquakes, was extracted from The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 17 July 1858, p 8:

SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE ON THE MURRAY. — We lately extracted from the Argus an account, by a correspondent of that journal, of the shock of an earthquake felt at Rest Down Plains, the station of Dr. Rowe, on the Campaspe, on the 24th June last. We now learn from Mr. Maiden that the shock was not confined to that locality, and that it was very perceptibly felt for a long distance along the valley of the Murray. At his own station, at Barracouta, the sensation experienced by several persons was that of a vessel being suddenly struck by a heavy wave, and so severe was the shock that it almost threw them down. Mr. Maiden, who was himself crossing the river at the time, states that his attention was first arrested by a noise as of a very heavy vehicle approaching on a hard road, or of a distant but distinct clap of thunder. At the same moment there was a heavy swell in the river, which lasted for several seconds. Two men who were engaged in splitting in the bush, on being asked if they had noticed anything remarkable, replied that they had thought a steamer had arrived in the vicinity, and that her boiler had burst. The shock was felt for thirty miles below Barracouta, to Mr. Maiden’s knowledge, and he thinks it must have been observed at Swan Hill. At Mr. Bagot’s station, the doors of the hut were violently thrown open, and considerable alarm was occasioned. At Moama and at Mount Hope, the shock and the subterraneous noises were also distinctly perceptible. They seem, Mr. Maiden observes, to have run along the valley of the river. What, if a concussion should some day take place, sufficient to throw the Murray out of its present course? — Bendigo Advertiser. Ed. What  indeed!

The South Australian Register Saturday 3 July 1858 page 2 added a few details (eg time):

Shock of an Earthquake at the Rest-Down Plains.— A correspondent forwards us (Argus) the following particulars of one of these phenomena, which happened a few days back in this neighbourhood :— ‘ Terrick Terrick, 24th June, 1858. About 7 o’clock this evening there was felt here a very smart shock of an earthquake. It was preceded by a noise resembling thunder, or I should describe it better by comparing it to that which would be caused by the rush of a large flock of sheep in your immediate proximity. Before I could rise from my chair I felt a sensation under my feet like that I have felt upon the deck of a ship when she suddenly grounded. It was repeated in a very slight degree about a quarter of an hour afterwards, but unaccompanied by any noise. The sky was almost unclouded, and the wind scarcely perceptible. The motion came from the north-west, which is the direction of the highest peak of this volcanic hill.

Depending on whether it was felt at Swan Hill or not, the magnitude varies from 4.5 down to 3.5.

 Figure 4 Extract from the Argus of 19 March 1860, itself an extract  from the Yass Courier of Saturday 10 March 1960.

1859 03 05 at 00:30 UTC, Braidwood

The Star (Ballarat) Wednesday 23 March 1859, page 2 reports:

EARTHQUAKE AT BRAIDWOOD.—A shock of an earthquake is rather an important feature in the news of a week. It is reported that a slight shock of an earthquake was felt on last Saturday morning, between ten and eleven o’clock, all over this district. We are informed, by persons of undoubted veracity, that they distinctly felt the shock. The trembling of the earth was perceptible at Araluen, Major’s Creek, Jembaicumbene, St Omers, and other places. Many persons say that they did not feel the shock at all…… The earthquake was heard at the Upper Araluen as a loud report. …..It was also felt at various places simultaneously, and has excited no little surprise and excitement throughout the district—Braidwood Dispatch.

In a similar vein, The Goulburn Herald and Country of Argyle Advertiser, Saturday 12 March 1859, page 2 makes a fuss about the earthquake, implying they are a rare phenomenon:

THE EARTHQUAKE.—This is no hoax, and the fact of their having been a veritable earthquake, is testified to by a large number of most respectable parties in the district. The shock was severe at Nithsdale: a person living there describes it “as if a dray had run against the chimney,” and then went out of doors, expecting its immediate downfall. Also, at St. Omers, a slight trembling was noticed. Earthquakes are of frequent occurrence in New Zealand, but in this colony the phenomenon is so rare as to cause considerable excitement.—Braidwood Daily News.

Using the felt area from the map, figure 4, the magnitude has been calculated at 3.6 which may be an underestimate though the lack of felt reports from nearby Queanbeyan and Bungendore cap the value at 3.7.

1860 03 04 at 10:08, 11:45 and 14:00 UTC, Yass 

This earthquake is not in known catalogues. 

The Yass Courier of Saturday March 10, 1860 reported the earthquake, the story was then picked up by The Argus on Monday 19^th March and shaking was as shown in the accompanying figure.

 Figure 5 Locations where the earthquake on 5th March 1860 at 8.08pm (EST) was felt. The red ellipse delineates the felt area and its radius of perceptibility is used to compute the magnitude.

The strongest shaking was reported in the double mainshock on Sunday evening at 10 past 8pm. Aftershocks were felt at Yass, at 9:45 pm and midnight, and others on Monday and Tuesday nights, indicating that the epicentre was nearby (34.8°S, 148.9°E). The effects were widely felt, from Bathurst in the north to Queanbeyan (slight) in the south, and from Shoalhaven in the east to Gundagai in the west. Other places reporting the earthquake included Gunning, Goulburn, Collector, Wheeo (strong), Burrowa (slight) and Reid’s Flat. Perhaps it was felt south of Queanbeyan but the 1860 Cooma newspaper is yet to be digitized. 

The Yass Courier added: A stove at Mr. Myer’s, Cricketers’ Arms, which weighs about 15 cwt., was removed two inches from where it was fixed; an upright post supporting the roof of another place was split from end to end ; some of the mortar was forced from between the stonework of the English Church; and the tinware, earthenware, and glassware, jingled in most houses. Many persons were in great terror at the unusual visitation.

The magnitude adopted here based on the felt area, ML5.0, is a minimum value, the maximum value, ML 5.5, is limited by the fact the earthquake doesn’t appear to have been felt in Sydney. 

1860 08 16 at 16:30 UTC, Araluen

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Tuesday 21 August 1860, page 9

EARTHQUAKE AT ARALUEN. This district has again been visited with an earthquake. Between two and three o’clock Friday morning, the inhabitants of Araluen (our informant states) were turned out of their beds in a state of great confusion, the shocks being very severe. The ground, with but short intervals, trembled for fifteen minutes.

1862 04 23 at 17:45 UTC, Tambaroora, near Sofala 

The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser Tuesday 29 April 1862, page 2 mentions an earthquake was felt in the goldfields:

SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE.

SOFALA —Thursday, 12.30p.m.—At 3.45 this morning the shock of an earthquake was felt in Sofala, almost every resident being sensible of it. The vibrations lasted for about one minute, causing glasses and bottles to jingle. The noise, like modulated thunder, was prolonged for about four minutes, becoming gradually feebler to its close. The direction of sound seemed to be from east to west.

MUDGEE.—Thursday, 1 p.m—About four this morning the inhabitants of Mudgee were considerably alarmed by hearing a rumbling noise, and at the same time feeling a severe shock which caused the earth to vibrate, so much so that it shook the crockery from off the dressers in more than one house, and persons attempting to leap out of bed found that they could hardly retain their feet, but had to cling to the first thing within reach for support. The shock did not last more than one minute, and appeared to travel from south-east  to north-west. This morning the weather is sultry and calm.

BATHURST—Thursday, 2 p.m.—Between three and four o’clock this morning several of the inhabitants of Bathurst experienced a slight shock of an earthquake, but as far as I can learn, no damage has been done.

Telegrams to the Ovens and Murray Advertiser of Tuesday 6 May 1862, page 2 reported it felt at Orange and the Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal mentions it was distinctly felt at Windeyer and slightly at Clarke’s Ck Meroo. 

 Figure 6 The epicentral region is near Tambaroora, WNW of Sofala, where the shaking was very pronounced. Strong north-south geological structure is visible on the satellite photo but associating the earthquake with any mapped faults would be imaginative.

Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal of Wednesday 30 April 1862, page 2 reports:

TAMBAROORA.

EARTHQUAKE. — On Thursday 24th April instant, about the hour of 3 o’clock a.m., this locality was visited by a fearful shock of an earthquake. The oldest travellers, now residing here, who have spent the greater part of their early days in other countries subject to volcanic eruptions &c., say they have never experienced anything like it. The first sensation felt by those who were awake at the time was like the deep and awful growl of a coming thunderstorm close at hand which increased in its portentous sound. The bed on which the writer lay appeared as if about to be shaken from under him ; and the doors and windows to be torn from their hinges. The house, a substantial one built of wood, was so frightfully shaken that the inmates who had all waked up were fearfully terrified.

To have been felt so widely, and at Sofala and Mudgee sufficiently to wake people, the magnitude had to be at least ML4 with an epicentre WNW of Sofala.

1862 12 19 at 19:00 UTC, Burrawa/Yass

Burrowa Times, Saturday Dec. 27, reports: 

A slight shock of an earthquake was felt in Burrowa and along the road as far as Yass about five o’clock on the morning of Saturday last. How much farther off the shock was felt we have not yet been able to ascertain.

The distance between Yass and Burrowa is about 48km, an epicentre midway yields a magnitude of 3.3, the minimum size of this earthquake, especially one at 5am local time. 

But a report in the SMH 31 December 1862 says: The shock of an earthquake perceptibly felt at Sofala, no date or time.

1865 02 13 evening local time, Burrowa

The Queanbeyan Age Thursday 2 March 1865, page 2 briefly reported that on Monday evening, 13 instant, an earthquake was distinctly felt in several parts of the Burrowa district.

1865 10 08 at 20:45 UTC, Armidale

Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 – 1861; 1863 – 1889; 1891 – 1954), Saturday 14 October 1865, page 2

SHOCK OF AN EARTHQUAKE AT ARMIDALE.

About a quarter before seven a m. on Monday a phenomenon was heard and its effects felt by a large proportion of the inhabitants of Armidale and persons at other places.

To most the circumstances were unaccountable, but the conclusion at length arrived at by the more experienced was that the shock of an earthquake had been felt. The disturbance appeared to come from the N.W., rolling irregularly towards the S.E. The shock was very brief, not lasting more than two or three seconds. The report, it was evident to almost all who heard it, was not in the air but appeared to be either upon or beneath the earth. In most cases it was compared to the noise which the passage of a very large and heavily-loaded dray at a short distance would occasion and some persons who were indoors believed it to be produced by such a dray till informed to the contrary. The disturbance of the earth apparently was not equal in all places; some houses being violently shaken, while in others it was perceived only by the rattling of the windows, or some such slight indication. 

The shock was also reported felt at Walcha (about 60km).

Sydney Mail (NSW : 1860 – 1871), Saturday 25 November 1865, page 5

SHOCK OF AN EARTHQUAKE IN THE NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT.

(From the Armidale Telegraph, November 14 )

One Monday morning, about a month ago, between half-past 6 and 7 o’clock, a smart shock of an earthquake was felt in Armidale, and the greater part of New England. The motion which it caused was vibratory, and otherwise similar to those usually ascribed to such phenomena. It was felt by ourselves, and, perhaps, by nearly all in Amidale who were not actually asleep at the time. The fact itself was sufficiently palpable to hundreds in this immediate neighbourhood and is confirmed by a number of correspondents and visitors who felt and saw the effects of the shock. Correspondents from Walcha, Bendemere, Bundarra, Ollera, Uralla, and various other places, confirm the testimony of the townspeople, and also agree remarkably together (considering the distances apart, and the variations which some hundreds of time-keepers would represent) as to the time the phenomenon took place. …….In the Masonic Hall, Armidale, the various emblems and regalia, that were not fixtures, were removed from their places; some of them, such as weighty swords and poles, were lifted from their brackets and strewn on the floor. ……..The extent, or area, over which the shock has been felt, so far as we have as yet ascertained, does not reach beyond the tableland on every side of Armidale. It will be seen, on reference to correspondence published in our other columns, that Bundarra and Ollera, on the north-west and north-east of this place respectively, were affected. The former place is distant about forty miles in a straight line, and the latter about thirty – six miles. Intelligence from Falconer, about twenty-eight miles in a northerly direction, and almost midway between the two former places, is similar. We have also received information of the like nature from Bendemere forty-five miles south-westerly, and from Walcha forty miles south-easterly from here. These places, affected at the same time, represent an area of something like 3000 square miles ; how much farther the shock was felt it is impossible at present to say; but it is more than probable that similar information may be received on the arrival of more distant mails. We have, however, ascertained that it was not felt at Grafton on the north, nor at Tamworth on the South. ……… Since writing the above, we have received a communication from a gentleman at the Rocky River, from which we learn that in one place the ground appeared to undulate very considerably, and to produce a sensation as though his residence was in motion. As in other places articles that were not fixtures were shaken violently, especially in some of the stores.

As more information became available for this earthquake, its location and magnitude changed, the magnitude increased from 3.0 to 3.8 and then 4.8.

1866 11 27 at 11:45 UTC, Bega and neighbourhood

The Illawarra Mercury Tuesday 11 December 1866, page 3 mentions: 

Shock of an Earthquake. — On Tuesday evening last, the 27th, a slight shock of an earthquake was distinctly felt, not only by the inhabitants of the township, but, from information we have received it would appear that at Kamaruka and as far as Ma Hill’s, the Accommodation House at Yellow Pinch, a similar vibration was noticed by many people. As near as we can judge the occurrence took place within a few minutes of 10 o’clock, and traversed in the direction of north-west and south-east. The atmosphere was thick and oppressive, and the first general impression seemed to have been that the singular sound was that of distant thunder. The shock lasted five or six seconds.—‘Bega Gazette.’

This earthquake seems to have been very local to the Bega area and of short duration, so the assigned magnitude is 3.0.

1868 06 18 at 14:00 UTC, Maitland

An isoseismal map of this magnitude 5.3 earthquake was compiled by McCue (1996) with supportive information from Hunter (1991). Rev. W.B. Clarke felt this earthquake and wrote widely in the newspapers about it without, as far as we know, drawing an isoseismal map. The ready access to newspapers through TROVE has made much more information available e.g.  for the metropolitan area of Sydney that is useful for microzonation, using a real earthquake! 

The felt area is similar to that of 1842 and both are assigned magnitudes of 5.3, the largest earthquakes at Newcastle before 1989.

 Figure 7 Isoseismal map of the 18 June 1868 Maitland earthquake

1870 03 26 at 09:45 UTC, Wallangra

The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser 12 April 1870, page4.

WALLANGRA.

(From the Armidale Express, April 9.)

On the evening of Saturday, the 26th, there was distinctly felt a smart shock of an earthquake, the vibration lasting, I should imagine, about twenty-five seconds. It happened about a quarter to eight. Just previously myself and another gentleman were remarking on the sudden and extraordinary oppressiveness of the atmosphere.

The duration is longer than for a close (smart) magnitude 3 event, the two bits of information leading to an assessment of magnitude of 3.5 in this sparsely populated region near the Queensland border.  

April and June 1870, Swarm in North-eastern NSW

1870 04 10 at 11:20 UTC, Lower Macleay

The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser of Thursday 28 April 1870 page 3:

Shock of Earthquake at Macleay River Heads. —On the night of last Sunday, at twenty minutes past nine, a smart shock of an earthquake was experienced at the pilot station, at the heads of this river. The vibration was sufficiently great to cause the crockery to rattle on the shelves, and to stop a clock. A shock was also felt on Tuesday, the 5th instant, but it was of so slight a character that it was doubted whether it was a shock. The one on Sunday night, however, gave such distinct proof, that there can be no doubt as to its having been the shock of an earthquake.—S M. Herald, April 25.

This event seems to have spawned a swarm of small earthquakes in the region.

1870 04 18 at 08:00 UTC and 1870 04 21 at 19:55,  Lower Macleay

Evening News Tuesday 3 May 1870, page 3.

Shock of an Earthquake on the Lower Macleay.

(From the Correspondent of the Macleay Herald.)

We have had another shock of an earthquake here. This makes the third one this month— viz., one on the 5th, another on the 10th, and the last on Monday the 18th, at about 6 p.m. The second one was felt at Warrell and Freshwater creeks and at Gumma Gumma. I have not heard how far this one has been felt from here. The shock came from the S.E., and there was a great deal of thunder and lightning at the time. The earthquake has raised a very heavy sea. I cannot account for the heavy sea now rolling in in any other way. On Sunday night, previous to the shock, the sea was smooth, but on Monday morning, although Sunday night was very calm and fine, there was an unusually heavy sea.

Since writing the above I hear that the shock on Monday was felt on the Nambuccra and Deep Creek. This morning, Friday, April 22, at a little before 6 a. m., just as it was getting daylight, we had two more shocks— one was pretty sharp, the other faint. They seemed to come from the S.W. The Messrs. Oakes who were down the river at the time felt the shock very plainly. The shock was also felt at Mr. Stewart’s ship-building yard, the men running out of the house, imagining from the vibration and noise that one of the vessels had fallen off the ways.  

It was reported felt at Long Flat in the Empire Thursday 12 May 1870, page 3.

1870 05 28 at 12:00 UTC, Crookwell

Australian Town and Country Journal Saturday 7 May 1870, page 7.

EARTHQUAKE AT CROOKWELL.—A correspondent of  the Goulburn Herald, under date 2nd instant, says— We felt a shock of an earthquake on Thursday evening last, about ten o’clock. It was accompanied with a noise resembling very heavy distant thunder. The vibration lasted about thirty seconds ; it shook the crockeryware on the shelves, and several persons who had gone to bed jumped up in amazement, not knowing what to make of it. It proceeded from the west.

1870 06 18 at 01:30, 03:20 and 07:00 UTC, Lower Macleay 

Empire Thursday 7 July 1870, page 3.

NINE SHOCKS OF EARTHQUAKE AT THE MACLEAY HEADS.

Mr. J. B. GARRARD, pilot station, Macleay River, reports : On Saturday, the 18th June, we had three shocks of earthquake ; the first and second shocks were pretty sharp. The first shock occurred at 11.30 a.m., the second about twenty minutes past 1 p.m., and the third about 5 p.m.

On Sunday, the 12th June, I was not on the pilot station, but my men told me they felt four shocks that day.

1870 06 23 at 08:10 and 09:00 UTC, Lower Macleay

To-day, June 23rd, we had a severe shock at ten minutes past 6 p.m., by my time ; it stopped my clock, and I think if my house had been a brick one some part of it would have fallen. There was another slight shock at 7 p.m.

The shocks on the 18th were felt on the Nambuccra, Warrel Creek, and other places. A young man named Smith, living on the Nambuccra, stated that the week before last he felt nineteen different shocks during that week.

I don’t know whether you feel anything of them ; they seem to be confined to this vicinity. I am inclined to think they have their origin in the Yarrahappini mountains, and living as we do at the foot of these mountains, we feel them most. And the same at the Nambuccra and Warrel Creek, as they lay only at the foot of these mountains. I should not be surprised if we feel more of them before the night is out.

1870 06 27 at 15:50 UTC, Lower Macleay

All the fore and middle part of this day has been very cold, with a strong southerly wind blowing. Immediately after the first shock, the wind died away nearly calm, and it became quite warm. Another shock of earthquake, very severe, was experienced at ten minutes to two on Tuesday morning, the 28^th instant.

1870 07 08 at 02:00 UTC, Markdale (between Crookwell, Oberon and Cowra)

The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 26 July 1870, page 2. 

The Markdale correspondent of the Goulburn Herald says: —…… About noon of the 8th instant, a smart shock of an earthquake was felt here. It lasted several seconds, and apparently travelled from S.W. to N.E.

This was a small local earthquake, assigned magnitude 3.0.

1870 08 03 at 20:30 UTC, Bellinger

Newspapers report this shock was felt on the Bellinger River (several people), at Macleay Heads and Nambuccra River on 4^th at various times (5a.m. sunrise or 6.30a.m.) but we accept this version from The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser Thursday 18 August 1870, page 3 (From a correspondent of the Macleay Herald):

NAMBUCCRA RIVER.

Three very severe shocks of earthquake were felt here on the 4th instant. The first, which took place at 6.30 a.m., was particularly heavy, and in some residences shook the lamps and other articles off the tables, which were left on from the previous evening.

1870 08 06 at 20:00 UTC, Eurobodalla

The Empire Thursday 11 August 1870 carried an earthquake story: 

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK AT EUROBODALLA.—On Sunday morning, 7th August, just before break of day, we experienced a pretty smart shock of earthquake. The rumbling was such as might be occasioned by the passage of a heavily laden dray over a very rough metallic road. A continuous rattle of crockery, tin-ware, &c, &c., was kept up for thirty seconds at least. One violent jerk seemed, for an instant, to put our habitation in jeopardy. My eldest son and I, in different rooms, were awake some time before the occurrence ; but the rest of the family were startled from sleep, and their exclamations and questionings some-what prevented the note I would otherwise have taken. However, its course appeared to be from the south-west.

1870 08 24 at 16:55 UTC, Lower Macleay

Apparently this swarm began in April, missed May and July but continued into August with severe shocks on 4^th and the most severe of the sequence on the night of 24th August 1870 at 2.55a.m., felt at Nambuccra and Bellingen  (Newcastle Chronicle, Tuesday 13 September 1870, page 3). The swarm seems to have petered out in October.

1870 09 ??, Lower Macleay

The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 16 September 1870, page 3 mentions:

From Nambuccra River, on the 6th. instant, it is reported that…… We have lately had several shocks of earthquake. They commenced about 11 o’clock at night, and continued with slight shocks until 3 o’clock in the morning—when the final one made the house I was in violently tremble. When we are to be free from these visitations I do not know, or what their ultimatum will be I cannot surmise. They are certainly very unpleasant, to say the least.

1870  October no time, Lower Macleay

The Evening News of Thursday 13 October 1870 page 2 reports another slight shock at the heads in the last few days but no details.

1871 05 01 at 20:55 UTC, Braidwood

The Newcastle Chronicle (from the Braidwood Monitor) records an earthquake felt at Braidwood:  

Between four and five minutes to 7 o’clock on Monday morning, we experienced a rather strong shock of an earthquake here. We were at the time sitting in our office, and distinctly heard the rumbling noise which accompanied the shock ; it resembled to us that of a coach passing over a wooden bridge, situated at a little distance. The vibration was perfectly distinguishable, though not violent, causing a good tremulous motion to the table at which we were, also to the chair which we were occupying. We should say it did not last over a second. From the inquiries we have made, we find that it was generally felt and noticed by the inhabitants, and many versions are given as to the effect of the sound and shock upon different people in different situations. It appears that it was felt much stronger at the southern end of the town. At Mr. Walsham’s dwelling, on the Araluen road, the vibration was so strong that it not only shook the house but every thing inside of it, making all the glasses fairly rattle again. It was also felt very forcibly at Bedervale, the residence of R. Maddrell, Esq. Some who were in bed at the time felt the bed shake under them. Some describe the noise as if something had fallen down in the store ; others, as if someone was shaking the front door violently ; those who were out of doors state the sound to have been something like distant thunder. A man who was standing on a ladder at the time, felt the vibration very perceptibly. The shock was felt by the patients in the hospital, one of whom stated that it was similar to those he had felt in New Zealand. Another informant also corroborates the statement, he having been in Wellington when several severe shocks took place. It was also felt at Mr. Steward’s, Farrington, Elrington, and at Jembaicumbene. We give time by our clock, which we looked at immediately after the occurrence.

The strong but short duration of shaking indicates that the earthquake was local and small, perhaps magnitude about 3.5. 

1871 06 08 at 04:40 UTC, Tumut

Dr Dirk Spennemann, Charles Sturt University, investigated a number of earthquakes in the Tumut, Albury, Adelong area, including this one and four of its aftershocks for which he compiled isoseismal maps, redrawn by GA to their standard format. The mainshock, magnitude about 5.3 based on the felt area, is interesting; it damaged the local public school, was felt strongly underground and was followed by aftershocks till at least September and ultimately another magnitude 5 earthquake on 3 January 1872. There are no reports in the Manaro paper of the mainshock being felt in Cooma or further to the southeast. 

The Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser, Saturday 17 June 1871, page 3.

We have just experienced a very heavy shock of earthquake. Our townspeople all ran out of their houses, thinking they were coming down. I (the correspondent) was, with others, standing on the Camp Reef at the time, where the shock was so severe that it displaced an anvil from a log of wood. The men working in each ride of the deep shaft thought its sides would come-in on them. In Messrs. Henwood and Co.’s shaft, the deepest on this reef, Mr. W. Long was in the act of bailing water with a dipper, when the tools in the shaft began to dance, and the dipper to strike against the wall. In a short time, Long, thinking every thing had given way at top, made his ascent to grass. On gaining the open air, he found his mates as much surprised as he was, and those of the next claim, who had also come to earth, as greatly alarmed as he himself had been. In many of the houses in the township, plates, glasses, &c, were thrown down or shaken out of their places ; and at the Public School, I believe, the books were thrown from their shelves, the master at once dismissing the children for the day.  

From the manner in which horses and cattle ran about during the time the shock lasted, I fancy they were as much astonished and alarmed as their owners.— June 8th. At the Adelong Crossing-Place, we understand the shock was more severe than at Gundagai. 

A portion of the gable end of a strongly-built stone kitchen attached to the Home Hotel was cracked, and the rafters, with some planks on them, forming a kind of loft, were displaced. In the bar of this hotel, bottles and glasses on the shelves tumbled to  the floor.

 Figure 8 Isoseismal map of the ML 5.3 Adelong earthquake of June 8, 1871 (after Spennermann, 1991).

It may be surmised that the inmates of the house were considerably alarmed. We believe the shock also did damage to Mr. Walsh’s smithy. A new stone house, built by Mr. Neaves, has been so disturbed that its chimneys will probably have to be pulled down. The Public School building has been slightly canted to one side, and its chimney much injured. All the crockeryware in this educational establishment was, we believe, broken; and a large desk fairly danced on the floor, to the great alarm of the scholars, who thereupon rushed out of doors, somewhat fearful that the suddenly-animated piece of school furniture would follow them.

Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic. : 1855 – 1955), Thursday 15 June 1871, page 3

We have had during the mouth a continuance of the almost unprecedentedly fine weather which has characterised this summer, with very little rain, aud only varied by the shock of an earthquake, felt very distinctly on Friday last in Beechworth, Chiltern, Bright, Wodonga, and many other places in Victoria and New South Wales, and extending apparently to the south-west coast of the latter colony. No case of casualty resulting from the earthquake has hitherto been recorded, but we heard from one of our correspondents yesterday that a gentleman who had just returned from Mr Bowler’s station, on the Mitta Mitta, had informed him that the shock had been so severe there as to smash a quantity of crockery in the kitchen. In Beechworth and other towns in this district, bottles and cups were heard to ring against each other, but the disturbance went no farther.

There were several aftershocks reported, seven to Saturday 24 June (only 6 of the 7 found):

• Thursday 8th June at 3:04pm, or 08 June at 05:04 UTC, ML 3.4
• Tuesday 13th June at 8:30pm, or 13 June at 10:30 UTC, ML 3.0
• Tuesday 13th June about midnight, or 13 June at 14:00 UTC, ML 2.5
• Saturday 15th June at 8am, or 14 June at 22:00 UTC, ML 2.5
• Sunday 18th at 9:10pm, or 18 June at 11:10 UTC, ML 3.0
• Monday 19th at 4am, or 18 June at 18:00 UTC, ML 2.5

1871 06 18 at 10:10 UTC, Tarcutta

Advocate (Melbourne, Vic. : 1868 – 1954), Saturday 1 July 1871, page 14

NEW SOUTH WALES.

On Sunday evening, the 18th inst., at about ten minutes past eight o’clock, another shock of an earthquake was (says the Wagga Wagga Express) experienced at Mundarlo, Adelong Crossing, Lower Tarcutta, and surrounding districts. The houses at all of these places were sensibly shaken, and light ornaments, glasses, &c., audibly rattled upon tables and shelves. The shock was mach less violent than the one of the preceding Thursday week.

1871 07 13 at 16:00 UTC, Adelong – another possible aftershock

The Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser Saturday 15 July 1871, page 3.

EARTHQUAKE. — Another shock of earthquake, accompanied by the usual rumbling noise, was, we have been informed, distinctly perceptible at Snowball Creek, at 2 o’clock on Friday morning ; it seemed to pass off towards Adelong. A fainter vibration of the earth was also experienced in the same locality on Wednesday morning last.

Snowball Creek is about 17km north of Adelong, and this event may well highlight the epicentral region of the earlier, much larger earthquake on 8^th June 1871, north of the current Talbingo reservoir.

1871 09 09 at 11:30 UTC, Adelong

Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 – 1931), Saturday 16 September 1871, page 3

UPPER ADELONG AND REEDY FLAT.

SEPTEMBER 12TH.—On Saturday evening last, about half-past 9 o’clock, a palpable shock of earthquake was felt; but being slight in comparison with a former shock, which caused considerable alarm, it would almost have escaped observation, but for the roaring noise accompanying such visitations, which was taken to be the bursting of an adjacent reservoir.

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Saturday 16 September 1871, page 2

On Saturday evening last, at about twenty-five minutes past 9 o’clock, a smart shock of an earthquake, preceded by, and accompanied with a low rumbling noise, something like the sound of heavy waggons moving at a distance, was experienced in Wagga. The houses perceptibly quivered and trembled for about fifteen seconds, and crockery and other light articles clattered and shook upon the tables and shelves, but no damage, we understand, was anywhere sustained. The shock was also felt at Gobbagumbalin, Wantabadgery, Tarcutta, and other places in the neighbourhood. 

Goulburn Herald and Chronicle (NSW : 1864 – 1881), Wednesday 20 September 1871, page 2

SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE AT GUNDAGAI.—We have said we would not chronicle any more minor earthquakes occurring in our locality, because they were becoming too common to excite residents, and those in other districts would probably begin to regard such narrations as being as apocryphal as snake stories. We must, however, depart from the rule we had laid down in favour of the clear, well-defined shock was experienced on Saturday evening last. It passed under the houses in our township, apparently in the same direction as the former earth-perturbations we have experienced, imparting a perceptible vibration to lamps, glasses, crockery, &c., by a distinct, hoarse, subterranean rumble, resembling distant thunder. The shock did no harm, and would indeed be regarded as a pleasant variety to the usual monotony of our  generally dull and stable ground, were it not that some ingenious persons have started a theory that earthquakes are beginning mildly in our quarter, and will presently culminate in a grand shock that will destroy Gundagai the present, as completely as Gundagai the post was washed out by the Murrumbidgee. We sincerely hope and believe the theory of these alarmistsis unfounded, and really it does not seem worth nature’s while to get up a great earthquake merely to injure our very quiet unpretending little township.—Times.

 Figure 9 Felt area of the small ML4 earthquake near Adelong on the evening of 9 September 1872.

Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 – 1931),

Saturday 16 September 1871, page 3

TUMUT.

September 14th.—On Saturday evening last, about 8 o’clock, a distinct shock of an earthquake was felt in our township, accompanied by a loud rumbling sound resembling distant thunder, which passed off in a south-westerly direction. 

Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser (NSW : 1862 – 1931), Saturday 23 September 1871, page 3

The faint roll of an earthquake was felt in Wagga Wagga (says the Advertiser) on Saturday night last, about half-past 9. The shock was felt very plainly, we understand, at Gumly Gumly ; and, at Gobbagombalin, it was almost as severe as the shock that so much startled Wagga Wagga a few months ago.

The magnitude from the felt area is about 4.0.

1871 10 07 at 13:00 UTC, Tarcutta ?

Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 – 1931), Saturday 14 October 1871, page 3

UPPER TARCUTTA.

OCTOBER 10.—On Saturday night last, at about 11 o’clock, a violent shock of earthquake visited this locality, said to have been as severe as the preceding ones by those who felt it.

It is tempting to suggest that the date is wrong, and that this is instead a report about the previous month’s earthquake.

1872 01 03 at 13:30 UTC, Tumut (from Spennermann, 1998)

Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 – 1931), Saturday 6 January 1872, page 3.

On Wednesday, at 11.30 p.m., a severe shock of earthquake was felt in Tumut ; the shock appeared to travel from N.E., to S.W., and was accompanied by a heavy rumbling sound.

Figure 10 Isoseismal Map of the 3 January 1872 earthquake near Tumut (from McCue 1996, after Spennemann, 1998).

Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser (NSW : 1862 – 1931), Saturday 13 January 1872, page 2.

 DISTRICT NEWS

KIANDRA, on the night of the 3rd instant, was visited with a very severe shock of earthquake. The exact time of the commencement of the vibration was at 20 minutes to eleven p.m., and lasted for nearly a minute. The earth appeared to be in a complete tremble, buildings rocking and the zinc roofs rattling like fury. In fact it was a regular hulla buloo. In previous years we have had several slight shocks, but this one was something extraordinary; in fact, anything stronger would be apt to make us fly. At the Nine-mile the shock was very severe, and appeared to travel from north to south. 

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), Friday 5 January 1872, page 5

BEECHWORTH, Thursday.

A shock of earthquake, very severe for Australia, was felt here last night at 12 minutes past 11 o’clock, from west of north. The vibration lasted fully 12 seconds, and the rumbling noise was heard distinctly for more than 30 seconds over a large tract of the surrounding country.

WODONGA, Thursday.

A smart shock of an earthquake was felt here at 10 minutes past 11 o’clock last night, followed by another more severe shock a minute afterwards. It was preceded by a rumbling noise, lasting about 15 seconds. The shocks were very strong, and distinctly felt.

WANGARATTA, Thursday.

A smart shock of earthquake was felt here about midnight yesterday.

SYDNEY, Thursday.

Two severe shocks of earthquake were felt at Braidwood and to the southward during the night.

Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 – 1929), Saturday 13 January 1872, page 3

AN EARTHQUAKE.

On Wednesday night, about half-past 11 o’clock (says the Wagga Advertiser), a very sharp shock of earthquake was experienced in the town and neighbourhood. The phenomenon presented the usual features, a low rumble as of distant thunder, and then a trembling of the earth and shaking of houses, which lasted probably about half a minute. The alarm in some cases was considerable. Of two men sleeping at Gumly Gumly, one was almost jolted out his bed, and both rushed into the open air, fancying that the old house was about to come crashing on their heads. It is said that though the shock was perceptibly felt on one side of Fitzmaurice street, it was not felt on the other. The Manaro Mercury relates that at twenty-five minutes to 12, or about midnight on Wednesday last, a violent shock of earthquake was experienced in Cooma, causing no little alarm to our townspeople. The vibration of the earth was most distinctly felt, and housewives and others perceived that crockeiy, glassware, bottles, and other things had for a few moments become possessed of vitality. The earthquake seemed to pass from north to south, and lasted but a few seconds. A gentleman, writing to us on Thursday last, says: —” I was writing at the time, and heard it in all its solemnity, as did equally the servants in the kitchen, who were in no small degree alarmed. The shock, according to the clock in the kitchen, must have occurred within about five minutes to 12 o’clock.” At the Cooma Hotel and other places in Massie-street, the shock was surprising; in the former place, a person walking across one of the rooms at the time of the subterranean commotion grasped the table; a legal gentleman who was then engaged in writing formed some strange hieroglyphics on the sheet of paper before him. Messrs Carey and Beuke, of the Criterion Stores, described the sensation as being a most unpleasant one, and the rumbling noise that accompanied the shock as if an immense number of heavy articles had been rolled over the roof of the premises. In the Manaro Mercury office, some of the printing material was shifted out of its place, and the position in which it lay indicates that the shock came from the north. Teamsters who camped on the plains say they were lifted up from the ground and laid down after a gentle rocking motion by the earthquake. Of course, there are various opinions as to the direction of the underground traveller, and as to the exact time of the visitation ; we believe the time was 25 minutes to 12 p.m. The vibration was very forcible at Bunyan. A private telegram from Kiandra speaks of the shock of earthquake there as having been very alarming. “We are informed that the shock was felt by the residents of Seymour. At Umaralla, the shock was also distinct, and it is said that it resembled a number of horses galloping towards the river. At Cottage Creek, near Bobundarah, the shock was severely felt; the inmates of Mrs Penderghast’s house expected the building, which is a large stone one, to fall, so great was the vibration. At Riverslee, the residence of Mr W. Cosgrove, the effects of the earthquake were visible by the oscillating motion causing everything in the house to tremble.

The magnitude is rated 5.1 from the felt area.

Ony two aftershocks were reported, both at Gundagai; at about 4am on Friday 16th and at 9am on Tuesday 23rd.

1872 01 10 ?time, Bega

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Saturday 27 January 1872, page 5

On the 10th, there was a shock of earthquake at Bega. The vibration, accompanied by a dull rumbling sound, continued for about six seconds, and proceeded from north-east to south-west.

1872 10 18 at 08:53 UTC, Jenolan Caves

This earthquake just before 7 pm was widely felt in Sydney, Newcastle and central-east NSW, from Queanbeyan in the south to Stroud in the north and as far west as Orange. At Bathurst, chairs were overturned and dishes smashed but no building were damaged. Likewise at Newcastle, inhabitants were greatly alarmed and rushed outside, one glass skylight fell and smashed.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 4 November 1872 quoted the Government Astronomer (Mr. Russell) who perceived the shock while sitting reading in a chair, at his residence in the Observatory, Sydney. He at once observed that the time was seven minutes to 7 o’clock. A later edition of the paper on 23 November reports from the Government Astronomer that the shaking stopped the revolving machinery of the lighthouse at Cape St George.

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Saturday 23 November 1872, page 6

Muswellbrook.—Aurora and shock of earthquake, 18th, and thunderstorms during month.

Newcastle.—Aurora and shock of earthquake, 18th ; heavy sea, 1st. 5th, and 30th ; and stormy, 4th, 5tb, and 30th.

Orange—Aurora, 14th, 15th, 17th, and 18th ; shock of earthquake, 18th ¡ snow, 3rd and 4th ; frost, 1st, and thunderstorm, 29th.

Kurrajong.—Aurora, 18th ; shock of earthquake, 18th ; storms during the month, and bush fires

Mount Victoria.—Snow, 4th ; aurora, 15th and 18th ; earthquake shock, 18th

Sydney.—Auroras, 15th, 17th, 18th ; shock of earthquake, 18th ; 

Liverpool.—Auroras, 17th and 13th; shock of earthquake, 18th ; thunderstorms, 3rd, 8th, 14th.

Moss Vale.—Auroras, 14th, 17th, and 18th; shock of earthquake, 18th

Goulburn.—Auroras, 15th, 17th, and 20th, shock of earthquake, 18th, and thunderstorm, 28th.

Cape St. George—Auroras, 15th, 17th, and 18th; shock of earthquake, 18th ; thunderstorms

There are several reports in the SMH weather summary above that aren’t on the isoseismal map.

 The location and magnitude, derived from the isoseismal map, are given by McCue (1996) where the time is incorrectly given as 18:50 GMT. 

1872 11 16 at 18:50 UTC, Queanbeyan

Figure 11 This isoseismal map (modified from McCue, 1996) of the 18 October 1872 earthquake indicates an epicentre in the sparsely populated area of Jenolan Caves and a magnitude of about 5.3

1872 11 16 at 18:50 UTC, Queanbeyan

The most severe earthquake ever experienced in Queanbeyan is how it was described in the Australian Town and Country Journal of Saturday 23 November 1872. At Gundaroo, only 35 km away it was described as slight.

 Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 – 1931), Saturday 23 November 1872, page 2

Of late we have been exempt from earthquakes in our quarter; but last Sunday morning, about 5 o’clock, a slight vibration, accompanied by the usual low rumbling sound was distinctly perceptible to several persons who happened to be awake. We note that an earthquake shock was experienced at Yass and Goulburn, and more severely at Queanbeyan, at the same period of time.

It is reported that on Saturday morning last, about 5 o’clock, Kiandra was visited with a very severe shock of an earthquake, which shook the houses to their very foundations, and caused considerable alarm among the inhabitants. Had the buildings been of either brick or stone, the shock, it is said, would have done much damage in the locality. About the same period a very faint vibration was felt in Tumut by many of our townspeople.

Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser (NSW : 1862 – 1931), Saturday 23 November 1872, page 2

Between the hours of 4 and 5 o’clock on Sunday morning, two shocks of earthquake were felt, the second shock shaking the houses in Kiandra and New Chum Hill ; they, were accompanied by a loud rumbling noise like thunder, and were also felt at the Nine-Mile. The earthquake visited Denison and Adaminaby. November 19th, 1872. JINDABYNE felt earthquake on Sunday. The Empire of Wednesday 25 November 1872 briefly reports that the earthquake was felt at Gundaroo slight but enough to wake people in their beds.

Hay Standard and Advertiser for Balranald, Wentworth, Maude…(Hay, NSW : 1871 – 1873; 1880 – 1881; 1890 – 1900), Wednesday 27 November 1872, page 2

Earthquake.— These visitations are now of frequent occurrence. On last Sunday morning, about a quarter from five o’clock, the shock of an earthquake was distinctly felt at Yass. In many instances parties were awoke by the shock, and by the rattling of windows, the knocking over of crockery, and other resulting disturbances. The vibration is supposed to have proceeded from east to west, and was apparently widely extended. — Courier.

Figure 12 Felt area of the 17 November 1872 earthquake south of Queanbeyan where it was strongly felt.

Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 – 1919), Saturday 23 November 1872, page 6

BRAIDWOOD. November 20.

ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE.—Those disturbances of the earth are of late becoming of frequent occurrence and increasing in violence. On Sunday morning last at about a quarter to five o’clock, several people who had risen or were awake early were surprised at first hearing loud rumbling as of thunder, followed by the violent agitation of the floors and walls of their domiciles. The shock extended from north to south but as to its duration I am unable to give an opinion, some saying two or three seconds ; others, two or three minutes, while one person is positive that it lasted for a quarter of an hour. …. The shocks, for there were two of them, were felt all through this district, and by telegram I learn that the disturbance was also experienced in Queanbeyan.

Clarence and Richmond Examiner and New England Advertiser (Grafton, NSW : 1859 – 1889), Tuesday 10 December 1872, page 3

The people at Queanbeyan experienced another severe shock of earthquake, on Sunday last. It lasted twenty seconds. There was great alarm, but nobody was hurt. Shocks were felt at the same time at Goulburn, Braidwood, and Jembaicumbene.

H.C. Russell reported it felt in Cooma and Gundagai in his weather summary in the SMH.

The magnitude based on the felt area ia about 4.6.

1873 05 19 at 08:20 UTC, Lithgow – Portland area

This earthquake was felt slightly in Sydney and as far away as Bathurst (smart) but not as strongly as the earthquake of 18 October 1872 in a similar location. 

A SHOCK of earthquake was distinctly felt at various places in the colony on Monday evening last. The vibration was felt by several persons in Station-street, Newtown, about a quarter past 6, while our Sofala correspondent states there was a slight shock there accompanied by a rumbling kind of noise about ten minute to 6, which lasted about a minute, the wave seeming to come from the south-west. Telegrams from North Richmond announce that a shook was felt there at twenty minutes after 6, the direction apparently from north to south. A similar telegram was received from Bathurst and the Times of Wednesday observes :—” On Monday evening last, about twenty minutes past 6, the shock of an earthquake was felt by the residents of Bathurst. As on the last occasion, the shock, though not nearly so violent, was accompanied by a low rumbling sound, which came from the north-west, and died away towards the south-east, and while it lasted a trembling sensation was felt throughout the city. The weather during the day was extremely dull and cold, but as the sun descended, the sky along the western horizon was covered with a fiery red colour.” The Hill End Times, of the same day, said two or three small shocks were felt there on Monday, especially one at sixteen minutes past 6 p.m., passing from north to south, which lasted about eleven seconds. The Rev W. B. Clarke says the shock felt at North Richmond about twenty minutes past 6 o’clock on the evening in question, was also felt at the North Shore.” “It was accompanied,” says the rev. gentleman, ” by a noise very similar to that which attended the last shock felt in Sydney on the 18th October, 1872, and by shaking of windows. It was preceded by a slight shock on Sunday morning. I happened to be awake, and found the time by my watch to be four minutes past 3. It was not accompanied by any noise, but the whole house (which is strongly built of stone) trembled, much like a ship struck by a heavy sea during two seconds.

A note in a contemporary SMH (21 May 1873, page 3) says it was felt in the suburbs. In his remarks on the weather for May 1873, Mr. H. C. Russell commented that it was felt at Mudgee, Mount Victoria, Woodford and South Head while the Empire says it was felt (slight) at Chambers Creek. The approximate magnitude, based on the felt area is 4.5.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

GOVERNMENT OBSERVATORY, SYDNEY.

Latitude, 33° 51′ 41″. Longitude 10h. 4m. 46s.

Magnetic variation, 9° 32′ 22″ East.

MAY, 1873.

1873 07 22 at 06:55 UTC, Marulan (Morowollen) 

The Goulburn Herald and Chronicle Wednesday 30 July 1873, page 2. MOROWOLLEN.  A shock of earthquake was felt here on Tuesday last, at 4.55 p.m., by many of the inhabitants of this town and also the district. There are different accounts prevalent as to the effect it had. One person says that his table was shaken from one side of the room to the other but I rather think he was jesting. The shock in my opinion was not a very severe one. The first symptoms were a rumbling noise as of distant thunder, and then a slight vibration, scarcely discernible to any one unaquainted with the like. July 28th.    

1873 09 23 at 16:45 UTC, Goulburn

According to the Herald and other newspapers, a shock of earthquake was generally felt in Goulburn at a quarter to 3 o’clock in the morning of Wednesday 24 September 1873.

Queanbeyan Age (NSW : 1867 – 1904), Thursday 2 October 1873, page 2

Shocks of earthquake have been felt at Goulburn and Braidwood. 

The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser says many persons in Goulburn were awakened and that it was felt throughout the district surrounding Goulburn so it warrants at least magnitude 3 but if felt in Braidwood then it was significantly larger.

1874 01 22 at 12:00 UTC, Tumut

The Sydney Evening News of Friday 23 January page 2 blandly reports an earthquake was felt in Tumut at 10pm last night – no other details.

1874 12 10 at 20:00 UTC, Goulburn

Slight shock of earthquake at Goulburn at 6am on the 11^th (December 1974) according to the Abstract from Meteorological Stations for December 1874 published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday 18 February 1875, page 6.

1875 01 25 at 00 UTC, Cooma

This was obviously a small local earthquake at Cooma judging by the description in The Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser Saturday 30 January 1875, page 2. 

EARTHQUAKE.— A shock, vibrating from north to south, was perceptible in Cooma about 10 o’clock on Monday morning, the earthquake lasting nearly a second, and being preceded by a rumbling sound like thunder.

1875 04 13 at 15:00 UTC, Albury – Meteor

The Evening News reported this an earthquake but then mentioned a meteor passing overhead almost simultaneously at 1 a.m. so we can suppose the sound and shake can be attributed to the shock wave from the meteor.

1875 06 03 at 10:00 UTC, Cobar

The following account of an earthquake in western NSW is perhaps exaggerated, but, given the felt area, it was obviously quite a strong event. 

The Riverine Grazier, Wednesday 16 June 1875, page 2 reports:

The writer, travelling from Bourke to Hay via Cobar, on Thursday evening, 3rd inst., was at Corilla, 80 miles north of Cobar, about 8 o’clock p.m. Heard a long rumbling sound, beginning slow, gradually swelling, and then decreasing until lost in the distance. Though he had never heard or felt an earthquake, the impression made on his mind was that a shock had been felt, and, as he thought, in the direction of Cobar. Proceeding on his journey he found that, at Tindara, distance 40 miles from Cobar, a shock of earthquake had had been felt causing great excitement; the people rushing out of their house expecting it to fall. At Cobar the excitement was intense, on the evening in question; the first sound heard was as though empty iron tanks were being beaten, followed in two or three minutes by a terrific shock as if an explosion had taken place immediately underneath. People rushed out of the houses with their hands over their heads, expecting the walls to fall; women were screaming in all directions, and some were frightened into hysterics. The men down in the Cobar mine rushed up, (and it is stated they got up in a fourth of the time the usually take). The commotion extended to the blacks, who cleared out of their camp, screaming and shaking. Their idea of the occurrence was, ” that blackfellow jump up in some other country.” 

On Sunday morning, about 10 a.m., another shock was felt by myself and others, not so violent as the first, but still of considerable force, having split a chimney and caused a crack two inches wide. Proceeding on my journey I found as I got further south from Cobar, the shock was also felt, until near the Willandra; about 150 miles south, only a faint rumble was heard like a distant roll of thunder.

Altogether between the evening of Thursday and Sunday morning over 20 distinct shocks were counted.   The writer requested a resident to give his version which is annexed hereto.   

Cobar, June 7th.— On Thursday night, the 3rd inst, about 8 o’clock, the whole of Cobar was thrown into great commotion by a frightful shock of an earthquake. The shock appeared to come from the north, and lasted about three minutes. [The foregoing writer thinks the direction of the shock was from west to east.] The nearest description I can give of it is, that some great explosion had taken place near at hand, the vibration being so great that every board in my house trembled to such an extent that those standing kept their feet going, as though they were on a treadmill. I have often heard of people’s hair standing on end, hut never witnessed it until the night in question. Children were awoke from their slumbers, their little hearts beating like the tick of a watch. Mothers’ screaming and falling off into hysterics, miners rushed from their work below, fearing the whole mine was falling upon them. Parties out burning charcoal saw their kiln rise in front of them, the fright of which threw them off their equilibrium.  Horses and cattle galloped about like mad. People knelt down and prayed, in fact many thought their last hour had come.  I have felt two shocks before in Victoria, but nothing to equal the one felt here. Another heavy shock occurred about 3 o’clock on the morning of the 4th inst, causing the sleepers to roll from their beds; that is those that were in bed, many being too frightened to take their usual rest. We have had a succession of shocks up to Sunday, (6th inst) 10 a.m. At Tindara the shock was also great causing the water to over-flow from the bank, and throwing glasses and crockery from the shelves.  

The South Australian Register Thursday 17 June 1875, page 7 briefly mentions the earthquake in its “River District Notes”:

Brewarrina.— The river is rising at the rate of 1 foot in twenty-four hours. A shock of earthquake was experienced here yesterday …….. It is mentioned that a shock of earthquake was experienced in Bourke on the 3rd.

This region of western NSW was not densely populated but the felt area is very large. With an epicentre near Cobar where the intensity was high, the felt distance north and south of about 150km indicates a magnitude in excess of 5, though there are no reports from Nyngan about 120km to the east.

1875 07 04 at 20:40 UTC, Watson’s Bay – American Independence Day

Given the date, and the location, it is possible that this was some sort of maritime tribute to American Independence Day, rather than a genuine earthquake. The Evening News Tuesday 6 July 1875, page 2 reports it as an earthquake: 

Earthquake at Watson’s Bay.

Yesterday morning an earthquake shock was felt at Watson’s Bay. Captain Jack, one of the pilots stationed at the bay, states that he felt the shock, that it caused his house to vibrate, and that the time was about twenty minutes to 7. The shaking of the earth lasted for a few seconds only, but it was felt by people in all parts of the bay, and more distinctly on the upper portion of the ridge. At the Signal Hotel the lamps and the crockerware on the shelves were shaken, and similar signs were noticed in other houses. Some people say that they felt a second shock, but this is doubtful. No extraordinary rise of the tide in the bay was noticed. Mr. Sayers, cashier in the General Post Office, and living near the Signal Station, felt the shock distinctly, and noticed the bedsteads and other things in his house vibrate. He believes the course of the earthquake was from north to south. The shock does not appear to have been felt nearer Sydney than Watson’s Bay.

1875 07 11 at 06:00 UTC, Bega and Eden

The Newcastle Chronicle Thursday 15 July 1875, page 4 itemised an earthquake:

EARTHQUAKE AT EDEN AND BEGA

Herald’s Telegram.  

EDEN, Monday. — An earthquake, accompanied by a loud rumbling sound like the rolling of thunder, occurred here yesterday, at 3.40 p.m. The shocks were sufficiently severe to rattle the windows of the houses and of the church. They lasted five seconds. The direction of the wave was from north-west to south-east. 

Bega, Monday. — A shock of an earthquake was felt here on Sunday afternoon, at four o’clock. It was accompanied by a heavy rumbling noise, and lasted several seconds. The direction was apparently from south-east.

A minimum magnitude, assuming an epicentre midway between Eden and Bega where the intensity was similar, would be ML3.5, subject to further information. Other townsfolk at Candelo and Pambula  should also have felt the earthquake.

1875 07 14  at 17:00 UTC, Adelong Crossing

Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 – 1931), Saturday 24 July 1875, page 2

WE have been informed that on Thursday, the 15th inst., about 3 a.m., a shock of earthquake, accompanied by a subterranean roll like distant thunder, occurred at the Adelong Crossing. At Mr Neve’s house the windows were rattled in their frames, and though the vibration of the earth was not felt at Mr N. Boon’s place the sound that accompanied it was clearly heard. It may be remembered that some years ago a series of earthquake shocks occurred in this neighbourhood, and that Mr Neve’s residence was then considerably injured by one of them. 

1875 07 16 at 01:12 UTC, Southern Monaro – Bega and Eden

Another Earthquake at Bega  Friday.

Another shock of earthquake was felt here at eleven minutes past 11 this morning. There was a heavy rumbling noise as the wave passed north-wards. Crockery, windows, and chairs rattled. It lasted about four seconds. 

The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 17 July 1875 page 9 (3 different stories) noted this earthquake was felt at Bega, Eden, Burnima, Maharatta (station near the site of modern Bombala) and Bombala though not as strong at Bega and Eden as the Sunday earthquake. The magnitude had to be at least 4.0.

1875 08 05 morning local time, Albury

The Evening News of Saturday 14 August 1875 page 4 mentioned this earthquake, distinctly perceptible to several persons but without details of time or whether felt elsewhere. 

1875 09 25 at 11:40 UTC, Bowral

The Australian Town and Country Journal Saturday 2 October 1875, page 9 reported this earthquake:

EARTHQUAKE.—On Saturday evening last a slight shock of earthquake was felt by the residents of Nattai, Bowral, Kangaloon, and Burrawang. I happened to be stopping at Burrawang for the night, and was sitting at the table engaged in conversation with my host, when the shock came. We first heard a rumbling, like the noise of distant thunder, or like the rushing of a herd of cattle when frightened from the camp; and this was almost directly followed by the vibration, which seemed to strike the house with considerable force. The door  of the room in which we sat faced the south, and it shook in its frame as if it were severed and violently shaken by the hand of  man. The dogs were lying quietly at the back or north side of the house, but they ran, evidently alarmed and barking, in a southerly direction. The sound and the shock must have lasted eight or ten seconds; and, on looking at my watch, which I did within a few seconds after the vibration had ceased, I found that it wanted twenty-two minutes to 10 p.m. I could not be sure as to the direction of the wave, but the sound seemed to be travelling from north to south. I shall be glad to get your issue of to-day, which will reach us at 9 this evening; for I think it not unlikely that some places further north received a greater shook than we did.

 Figure 13 Felt area of the September 1875 earthquake near Bowral. The ‘3’ just reflects that it was reported felt at the locality but not the intensity.

Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 – 1919), Saturday 2 October 1875, p24

The Moorowoolen correspondent of the GOULBURN HERALD reports that many of the inhabitants of that locality were startled on Saturday night about forty-five minutes past nine o’clock by the rattling of their crockery and tinware, which was supposed to be caused by the shock of an earthquake. The shock lasted about a minute and a quarter. A correspondent of the same journal, writing from Berrima, makes the following statement :—” At about twenty-five minutes to ten o’clock on Saturday evening, the inhabitants of Berrima were somewhat alarmed by the shock of an earthquake, its effects were not, however, of a serious character, although the oscillation was sufficiently decided to be unmistakable. It lasted about fifteen seconds, resembling the blasting of a distant mine, or the report, softened by space, of a large field piece dying away in diminishing reverberations like a heavy peal of thunder. We have yet to learn that any damage was sustained in this neighbourhood.

On the same page it was also reported felt at Kiama, Shellharbour and Albion Park. Yet other papers say it was felt at Berrima and Mittagong, Joadja and Wollongong.The felt area is consistent with an earthquake of magnitude 3.8.

1876 01 21 04:30 UTC, between Bathurst and Hillend

Evening News Thursday 27 January 1876, page 2.

Shock of Earthquake at Bathurst.

On Friday last about 2 o’clock, reports the Bathurst Free Press, a distinct shock of earthquake was felt in several parts of the district, although we have not heard that any one in Bathurst noticed it. At Brucedale the trembling was very perceptible, the shock being preceded by the usual rumbling noise. At O’Connell Plains it was also felt, and the crockery and other goods on the shelves of Mr. Thompson’s store were considerably shaken and disturbed.

The shock was also distinctly felt at 2:30 pm at Hillend according to a Hillend paper. This was obviously a small local earthquake between Bathurst and Hillend, magnitude 3.2.

1876 02 08 at 07:15 UTC, Lithgow

LITHGOW.    

On Tuesday, the 8th instant, a slight shock of earthquake was felt here, which lasted for about two minutes. It occurred about a quarter past 5 o’clock in the evening, and seemed to travel in a north-westerly direction. The noise resembled the rumbling of a heavy coach over a new road. Some thought it was blasting in the mines, others that it was a train (SMH Saturday 26 February 1876, page 6).

This seems a long duration for a small local earthquake but that’s how we will categorise this one unless more information becomes available. 

1876 08 03 at 01:20 UTC, Yass and Gunning

The Sydney Morning Herald of Friday 4 August 1876 page 5 reported an earthquake:

YASS. THURSDAY.

A sharp shock of earthquake occurred at twenty minutes after 11, and was distinctly felt in the court and all over the town. The direction was apparently from north-east to north-west. A second slighter shock took place a few minutes afterwards.

The weather has completely changed since the earthquake. A steady warm rain has fallen. The shock was felt at Gunning.

The Goulburn Herald and Chronicle of Wednesday 9 August, page 2 commented that it was also felt slightly at Collector. The most likely location is near Dalton, north of Gunning about equidistant between Collector and Yass because of the report at Yass of the aftershock. The magnitude is ~3.5. 

1877 02 27 at 08:00 UTC, Carcoar

An ‘explosion’ was heard by some persons in Carcoar about six o’clock on Tuesday 27 February 1877 and at Trunkey Creek and Mandurama (Evening News, Wednesday 28 February 1877, p 2). 

This must have been a very close small local earthquake at Carcoar. 

1877 11 28 at 02:00 UTC, Bombala

This earthquake was described in the Evening News Tuesday 4 December 1877, page 2.

On Wednesday morning between 12 and 1 o’clock, says the Bombala Times, a slight shock of earthquake was felt at Maharatta station, also at Bombala, the noise resembling that of distant thunder, and at the time the sky was beautifully clear, not a cloud visible. The wave was travelling from south to north. Mr. James Hayden, informs us that he was conversing with some friends at Delegate, at about 11.30 a.m., when they distinctly felt a severe shock, and at the same time heard a great noise. The day being very fine, they looked round to see where the noise came from, and in the direction of the Buldah Mountains, distant about 15 miles, they perceived an immense cloud of dust towering up towards the sky.

The ‘great noise’ and ‘immense cloud of dust’ surely signifies a landslide triggered by a nearby earthquake and at the distance from Bombala would signify a magnitude of about 4, any larger and it would have been felt more widely, any smaller and it should not have triggered a landslide.

1878 02 03 at 02:00 UTC, Eucumbene

Queanbeyan Age Wednesday 6 February 1878, page 1.

COOMA. Tuesday 5.15 p.m. A shock of an earthquake which lasted some moments was felt at  noon on Sunday.  The Roman Catholic Church shook and the lamps clattered. It was also felt at Buckley’s Crossing (Ed. Dalgety) and Adaminaby.

Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser (NSW : 1862 – 1931), Saturday 16 February 1878, page 3

THE SPRINGS.

A shock of earthquake was felt here at the same time it was felt in other parts of the district; apparently, the wave travelled north and south. It did not do any damage here.

 Figure 14 The epicentre of this magnitude 4.0 earthquake was near the present Eucumbene Dam north of the epicentre of the May 1959 magnitude 5.3 earthquake.

1878 06 08 at 05:08 UTC, Yass – shaking probably caused by the meteorite

The Evening News, Saturday 15 June 1878, page 5 reports on an earthquake felt in Yass and Breadalbane: 

On the Murrumbidge, at Mr. P. Molloy’s, a meteor was seen travelling along the horizon, and after it burst a great volume of smoke was left behind. Immediately following this the rumbling noise and shaking of the earth were felt and heard.

1879 07 29 at 07:20 UTC, Nyngan

Singleton Argus (NSW : 1880 – 1954), Saturday 30 July 1887, page 4

Earthquake.

A shock of earthquake was experienced at 5.20 p.m. yesterday at Nyngan and Canonbar. At the former place, the vibration lasted twenty seconds.

The shock caused considerable alarm amongst the railway officials. Barrett’s Hotel was also shaken heavily. At Canonbar, two sharp shocks were felt accompanied by a rumbling noise. Each shock lasted five seconds; no damage was done.

1880 07 25 at 12:45 UTC, Bowning 

Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 – 1861; 1863 – 1889; 1891 – 1954), Friday 13 August 1880, page 4

A distinct shock of earthquake was felt at and near Bowning, on 25th ultimo. The rumbling sound lasted for about 40 seconds, and the tremor for about ten seconds.

Yass Courier (NSW : 1857 – 1929), Tuesday 3 August 1880, page 2

Earthquake. — We are informed that a very distinct shock of earthquake was felt at and near Bowning about 10.45 p.m. on Sunday, 25th ult. The rumbling sound lasted for about forty seconds, and the tremour for about ten seconds. It appeared to proceed from west to east, and was felt for a distance of three or four miles on the Bookham side of Bowning, and for at least one mile on the Yass side. 

1880 07 28 at 09:12 UTC, Not in NSW, Wellington New Zealand

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), Wednesday 18 August 1880, page 6

At Wellington (N.S.W.), a heavy shock of earthquake was felt on the 28th ultimo.

Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 – 1931), Friday 20 August 1880, page 2

At 12 minutes past 5 on the afternoon of the 28th ultimo the heaviest shock of earthquake experienced in Wellington (N.Z.) for a long time was felt. The effect in the House of Parliament was decidedly alarming, and startled the members immensely, the debate being completely interrupted for a short time. The building creaked and swayed in a most formidable manner, but no damage was done.

1880 07 31 at 07:00 UTC, Coonamble

The Evening News, Saturday 6 February 1892, page 3S lists earthquake reports collated by Mr. H. C. Russell (Government Astronomer) starting with:  

1880 — In the Coonamble report of July 31 it appears that at 5 p.m. a peculiar noise was heard for 250 miles along the Castlereagh River, and for a range of 50 miles wide. It was like the discharge of rifle and cannon, or as if a large iron tank was bumping on the ground. Mr. Steuglin heard it, and said the blackfellow with him got off his horse and went down on the ground in terror, saying, ” Devil devil coming ” and even the horses shook with fear.  It was heard by many persons all over the area specified, and seems to have been confined to these limits.

This is a very eccentric area representing an earthquake of at least magnitude 5.4 (I assume it was an earthquake!). The location is very uncertain, the Castlereagh River flows downstream through or near the towns of Coonabarabran, Binnaway, Mendooran, Gilgandra and Coonamble, but is taken here to be near Coonamble. This stretch of the river around Coonamble is remarkably straight and oriented nearly NS, and looks to be strongly fault controlled.

1880 11 26 at 03:15 Walcha

The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 4 December 1880, page 5 reports a small local earthquake: 

A SLIGHT shock of earthquake was experienced in Walcha on Friday, October 26th (the correspondent of the Times reports), when, at a few minutes past 1 o’clock p.m., the people were startled with a slight report as of blasting, seemingly proceeding from underneath. The noise was accompanied by a distinct vibration of the earth, which lasted from three to four seconds, as near as I can determine, though the sensation caused by the shock continued for perhaps a quarter of a minute. The explosion died away in the distance with a low rumbling sound resembling the gradual decadence in the sound of very distant thunder. In some houses, glassware, &c, jingled on the shelves, while the rattle of the walls and roofs was easily perceptible. This was more especially the case with buildings built of brick, wooden ones seeming to “give” with the subterranean motion. From information gathered from various sources, I am led to believe that the shock was much more severe at Europambela, four miles away to the east, than in town.

October 26, 1880 was a Tuesday, but November 26 was indeed a Friday. Other newspapers such as the Australian Town and Country Journal 4 December 1880, page 9 reported the earthquake occurring in November 1880.

1881 05 10 07:00 UTC, Nulla Nulla

The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 11 May 1881, page 5 and Friday 13 May 1881 Page 5 mention an earthquake:

NULLA NULLA. TUESDAY.          

A distinct shock of earthquake was felt here at twenty minutes past 5 this evening and

CENTRAL KEMPSEY. THURSDAY.

Several distinct shocks of an earthquake are reported to have been felt on Tuesday afternoon, at Bellinger and Macleay Heads.

The Macleay District was certainly turned-on in the years 1870 to 1910 but has been quiet thereafter.

1881 09 23 at 00 UTC, Tenterfield

The Southern Argus of Friday 30 September 1881 page 2 labels it a supposed earthquake:

Supposed Earthquake.

On Friday week last (the Tenterfield Star relates) a strange sensation was experienced in this locality which has led to the belief that the district was visited by an earthquake. About 10 o’clock in the morning a loud report, or rather it is described as a dull, heavy thud as of blasting, was heard, which was followed by a rumbling reverberation as of thunder, accompanied in some places by a trembling of the earth. At the time it was heard the sky was very clear, with no sign of any disturbances by thunder. From the intelligence that has reached us the shock seems to have been felt in the immediate neighbourhood of the town, at Bryan’s Gap, the Ten-mile, Boonoo Boonoo, Wilson’s Downfall, and we hear also at Stanthorpe. At a settler’s homestead at the Ten-mile the house was visibly shaken and the crockery rattled on the shelves, while those about the place were much alarmed.

Felt over this area centred on the NSW/Qld border, the magnitude had to be at least ML3.5. A quite spectacular but ancient north-south trending fault less than 20km east of Tenterfield can be seen on Google Earth imagery.

1881 09 30 at 11:30 UTC, Adelong and Tumut

An Earthquake.                

On Friday evening last at about half-past nine o’clock a most unearthly sound was heard, which frightened, not the people of Tumut so much as our outside neighbours. It passed like the “bang” of a huge drum and could not have been alone local in its operation, for not only did our neighbours apprise us at once of their experience, but our reporter who happened to be in Adelong at the same time, heard the mysterious sound, and questioned others to corroborate him in his auricular testimony. The noise was not dissimilar to the kind of slow crash which accompanies an earthquake but there was no sense of surface disturbance in any way. No windows were broken, and no crockery disturbed; nevertheless the detonation was very distinct. Since experiencing this remarkable disturbance, we have questioned others who reside ‘twixt here and Adelong, and find that they also were ‘surprised’ about the same time. We are no strangers to earthquakes in this district, and therefore it may be reasonably presumed that the loud and almost unearthly report heard on Friday night had some affinity to an earthquake.—T.and A. Times.

There can be little doubt as to the cause of this bang – a shallow, close but small earthquake. 

1882 01 17 at 22:00 UTC, Cowra

 Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 – 1907), Saturday 21 January 1882, p 39

COWRA. January 17.

EARTHQUAKE.—A slight shock of an earthquake was experienced in Cowra on Wednesday last about 8 o’clock in the morning. The strange rumbling sound peculiar to such phenomena was plainly heard, and to some extent felt, for several seconds, and seemed to be travelling from south to north. 

1882 11 06 at 23:50 UTC, Young

Goulburn Herald (NSW : 1881 – 1907), Saturday 11 November 1882, page 3.

EARTHQUAKE.—Shortly before ten o’clock on Tuesday morning a shock of an earthquake was very sensibly felt in Young. In dwellings two miles down the creek, and as far as eight miles distant from town, the inmates noticed the vibration of the ground. Cups and saucers rattled together on the shelves, and in some places so great was the shock that persons rushed outside their houses, apprehensive that the walls thereof were about to fall on them. The motion appeared to travel from west to east. The weather on Tuesday and the previous day had been very sultry and calm, not a breath of air stirring. Some sceptical persons attribute the phenomenon to shots discharged about the same hour at the railway cuttings, but that is scarcely reconcilable with the facts, as though there were three discharges of dynamite or powder, neither sound nor movement of the ground could be distinguished by persons at the creek close by—while, where the blasting was going on is fully two miles from Young as the crow flies.

Another newspaper reports it was felt at Monteagle.

1883 08 29 at 14:00 UTC, Crookwell

The Sydney Morning Herald of Friday 31 August 1883 (page 5) reported that an earthquake had been felt in Goulburn, Kiama and Taralga about midnight on Wednesday 29 August 1883. The South Australian Advertiser says the shock was also felt at Collector, Bowral and Crookwell.

Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld), Saturday 1 September 1883, page 3 reports: 

Shocks of earthquake are reported to have been felt at Burrowa, Mossvale, and Balmain, and at Bundaroo, near Mossvale, a loud report like the discharge of a cannon was followed by a rumbling noise, which lasted for several seconds. The iron roofs on the house rattled briskly, and houses were shaken.

THE Goulburn Herald says:—A strong shock of earthquake was felt in Goulburn and surrounding districts on Wednesday night about 12 o’clock. It was accompanied by a rumbling noise, and was sufficiently powerful to cause windows and doors to shake, and articles of crockery and glassware to rattle. In the upper floor of a three-story house the vibration was strong enough to overturn a jug which was standing on the floor. Many persons were awakened by the shock, and some not a little alarmed. The duration of the shock was estimated by persons who were up at from 10 to 30 seconds, the former period being probably nearest the mark. The direction of the wave has been stated variously according to the locality and the observer, some saying from north to south, others from west to east, and others from south-west to north-east. It was felt very strongly towards the Shoalhaven, and at Reevesdale, near Bungonia, was powerful  enough to shake over a small pile of fire-wood stacked against the house. It was slight at Bowral, and strong in the direction of Crookwell and Taralga.

 Figure 15 The orange ellipse encompasses places where shaking was reported felt during the 29 August 1883 quake.

Southern Argus (Goulburn, NSW : 1881 – 1885), Thursday 6 September 1883, page 2

BINDA.

The earthquake: — A somewhat strange incident took place here on Wednesday night the 29th August. Never perhaps in the history of the colony, and certainly not during a residence of fifty years, was a more manifest shock from earthquake experienced than that which occurred in the vicinity of Binda about five minutes past twelve o’clock on the above date. ….. I was struck by what at first appeared to be the distant rumbling of thunder. But quickly remembering that a few minutes previous the heavens presented no indications of either rain or storm, I was about to make the remark to my wife, ” that it was strange to hear thunder at this season, and especially on that particular night,” when lo! came a tremendous thud as though my dwelling had been struck with a ponderous bar of iron in the direction of east and west, then the whole earth seemed to undergo a convulsive rocking, and though my edifice is of a considerably firm construction it was literally shaken like dice in a dice box, and finally my bedstead and all the household furniture was in turn seized with the same spontaneous convulsion and trembled as though attacked with a fit of ague. The inmates, likewise, felt some what as if receiving a galvanic shock and much to my amusement; abandoned their own apartments to seek solace, and refuge, in my experience of what had occurred.

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Friday 31 August 1883, page 5

EARTHQUAKES IN NEW SOUTH WALES

From the following telegrams it will be seen that an earthquake was experienced about midnight on Wednesday in the Goulburn and Kiama districts :—

GOULBURN, THURSDAY.

A shock of earthquake was felt here at about midnight yesterday. It is described generally as passing from north-east to south-west.

KIAMA, THURSDAY.

Shortly after midnight the town and district experienced a decided stock of earthquake, which caused the most substantial buildings to vibrate. The effect lasted between 25 and 30 seconds, and the shock was sufficiently heavy to wake many persons from their sleep.

TARALGA, THURSDAY.

A sharp shock of earthquake was felt here at about 10 minutes past 12 o’clock last night. The direction of the wave was from south-west to north-east.

This revised felt area corresponds to an earthquake of about magnitude ML 5.0, with an epicenter near Gunning. Reports from Balmain and Bathurst in the previous map version have been deleted.

Coincidently, this earthquake occurred within 24 hours of the earlier magnitude 5.9 Gayndah earthquake in Queensland, and a month after a large earthquake off NE Tasmania, to say nothing of disastrous earthquakes in New Zealand and Italy in August 1883.  Krakatoa erupted in the same month.

1883 09 02 at 16:30 UTC,  Dubbo (not to be confused with the Gayndah Qld event on 28 August)

Ballarat Courier (Vic. : 1869 – 1885; 1914 – 1918), Tuesday 4 September 1883, page 3

ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE.

A severe shock of an earthquake occurred at Dubbo about three o’clock on Monday morning. It lasted fifteen seconds. The telegraph line has been interrupted since.—Herald.

Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW : 1860 – 1938), Friday 7 September 1883, page 8

A shock of earthquake was felt at Dubbo and on the Macquarie River at half-past 2 o’clock this morning. The direction of the wave was from east to west. The vibration lasted a quarter of a minute.

1883 09 20 at 11:50 UTC, 10km South of Tarago

The Bendigo Advertiser Saturday 22 September 1883, page 2 mentions a felt earthquake :

A severe shock of earthquake was felt at 9.50 p.m. yesterday at Bungendore, which lasted about 10 seconds, and passed in a south-westerly direction. A shock of earthquake was also felt at Braidwood at ten o’clock, lasting about 20 seconds. It shook several houses. There was a clear sky at the time. Considerable alarm was occasioned. 

The earthquake was also felt in Queanbeyan according to the Goulburn Evening Penny Post Thursday 27 September, p 4.

On Thursday night last, about 10 o’clock, Queanbeyan experienced a second earthquake shock, of sufficient force to shake moveables in several of the houses. The shock was accompanied with a loud rumbling sound of some seconds’ duration.

Southern Argus (Goulburn, NSW : 1881 – 1885), Thursday 27 September 1883, page 2

BUNGONIA.Earthquake.—A shock of earthquake was distinctly felt here last Thursday night about half-past nine ; it appeared to travel in a north-east and sonth-west direction.

Figure 16 The felt area of this small September 1883 earthquake corresponds to a magnitude 3.9 earthquake centred some 10km south of Tarago, north-east of Queanbeyan. 

1884 02 28  at 11:30 UTC, Queanbeyan

Goulburn Herald (NSW : 1881 – 1907), Tuesday 4 March 1884, page 3

SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE.—Reports from Braidwood and Queanbeyan state that a shock of earthquake was felt at those places on Thursday evening last at half-past nine. The shock was accompanied by a loud rumbling noise apparently from the north-west to the south-east. At Braidwood several houses were shaken. At Queanbeyan the shock is described as severe, crockery and other articles rattling strongly in some of the houses. The rumbling noise spoken of was heard in Goulburn, but we do not hear that any person noticed a shock. 

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), Saturday 1 March 1884, p4

Earthquake at Braidwood. BRAIDWOOD, Friday.—A smart shock of earthquake was felt at Braidwood last night. Several houses were shaken.

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Friday 29 February 1884, page 2

Earthquake in Queanbeyan. Queanbeyan, Friday.

At 9.35 p.m. yesterday the inhabitants of Queanbeyan were alarmed by a severe shock of earthquake, accompanied by a loud rumbling noise, which lasted about three seconds.

1884 03 27 at 14:00 UTC, Green Cape (not Tasmania )

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Thursday 27 March 1884, page 2

Earthquake.

A severe shock of earthquake was felt at Green Cape, at midnight, lasting 30sec, and apparently going north.

1884 06 17 at 10:40 UTC, Green Cape (not Tasmania)

Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 – 1861; 1863 – 1889; 1891 – 1954), Friday 20 June 1884, page 5

Earthquake.

Sydney, Thursday.—A sharp shock of earthquake was felt at Green Cape, at 8.40 p.m. on Tuesday. The direction of the wave appeared to be towards the North.

1884 07 13 at 04:30 UTC, KIAMA – Tasmanian earthquake

Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser (NSW : 1863 – 1947), Tuesday 15 July 1884, p2

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.— On Sunday afternoon last, somewhere between two and three o’clock—about half-past two it is supposed,—a slight shock of earthquake was felt by several persons in town. The residents of one house in Shoalhaven-street state that a rumbling sound, as of distant thunder, was heard, and, immediately, there followed a peculiar undulatory and vibratory motion, during which bed curtains were seen to flutter as they do when the bed posts are violently shaken with the hand. A writing desk which stood on a somewhat uneven floor near the wall of one of the rooms oscillated and struck the wall several times. Those who felt the shock speak very decidedly about it, and state that the earth-wave seemed to come from a northerly or north-easterly direction. As only a few persons seem to have felt the vibration, we shall be glad of a little further information respecting it.

1885 01 18 at 02:57 UTC, Sydney

The Sydney Morning HeraldWednesday 21 January 1885, page 9:

Referring to a paragraph which appeared in our issue of yesterday, relative to a shock of earthquake having been experienced at Waverley at 12.58 p.m. on Sunday, a correspondent writes from Woollahra as follows: —” A distinct shock of an earthquake was felt here on Sunday, 18th instant, at 12.56 p.m., the wave travelling from north-east to south-west, causing a vibration throughout the house.”

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), Tuesday 20 January 1885, page 2

Earthquake at Manly. SYDNEY. Monday.—A shock of earthquake was felt at Manly yesterday.

This is a surprising event, obviously very small and very localised under Sydney’s eastern suburbs and, of necessity, quite shallow. It was also reported felt at Manly.

1885 01 21 at 01:00 UTC, Cooma

Further newspaper felt reports enabled an upgrade to the isoseismal map by McCue, published in the 2^nd volume of the Isoseismal Atlas (Rynn and others, 1987). The time, location and magnitude have been adjusted accordingly. The SMH of Saturday 27 February, page 9, mentions that it was felt severely in Bombala. The Goulburn Evening Penny Post of Tuesday 27 January 1885 mentioned it was slightly felt at Queanbeyan about 11 o’clock extending the isoseismal line south and north and increasing the inferred magnitude slightly, from 4.6 to 4.7. 

The Evening News Saturday 6 February 1892, page 3S reminisced about earthquakes felt in Tasmania and Australia in general and included the following:

Mr. W. E. Hepburn wrote in January, 1885: A slight shock of earthquake occurred at Coolamatong (near Cooma) at 11.15 a.m., January 21, lasting about 3sec or 4sec; motion from east to west; shaking the house, outbuildings, &c. Bega reported slight shock on same day at 11 a.m., direction south-west to north-east. Cooma, at 11 a.m., had a most distinct shock which shook the whole office (telegraph) ; it seemed to come from north travelling to south, and lasted about ½min. It was also felt at Adaminaby, 30 miles west, and at Kiandra, 52 miles west of Cooma; also at Nimitybelle at 11.5 a.m., travelling in an easterly direction.

Shaking was also reported felt at Gegedzerick near Berridale.

Figure 17 Felt area of the earthquake north of Cooma on 21 January 1885.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), Thursday 22 January 1885, page 2

Earthquake. SYDNEY, Wednesday.—A distinct shock of earthquake was felt at Cobargo to-day.

Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW : 1860 – 1938), Friday 23 January 1885, page 20

EARTHQUAKE IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

SYDNEY, Wednesday.

A distinct shock of earthquake was felt at Moruya this morning shortly after 11 o’clock, causing the windows to shake perceptibly. The duration of the shock was about 15 seconds, and the direction of the wave from south to north. A shock was also felt at Cobargo at about the same time.

Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser (NSW : 1862 – 1931), Wednesday 28 January 1885, page 3

Gegedzerick.

About noon on Wednesday last, two shocks of earthquake were felt. The rumbling noise seemed to be travelling in a southerly direction.

1885 03 20 at 23:30 UTC, Tasmania

Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW : 1851 – 1904), Wednesday 25 March 1885, page 3

A telegram from Eden on Saturday stated that a slight shock of an earthquake was felt at

9-30 am. It lasted about 10 secs. 

Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 – 1899), Saturday 18 April 1885, page 1

WEATHER REPORT. March, 1885. Sharp shock of earthquake morning of 21st; felt at Swansea, 9.5 a.m. ; Moorina, 9.7; Campbell Town, 9.10; Launceston, 9.11; Hobart, 9.13; it was also felt at Gabo Island at 9.25 a.m.

1885 05 30 at 19:30 UTC and 1885 05 31 at 14:00 UTC, Bombala

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Wednesday 3 June 1885, page 4

Earthquake in Bombala. Wednesday.

Several shocks of earthquake have been felt here during the last two or three days. One which occurred between 5 and 6 o’clock on Sunday morning was very distinct; and another severe one was experienced at about 12 o’clock on Sunday night.

1885 09 11 at night, Bombala

Illustrated Sydney News (NSW : 1881 – 1894), Saturday 26 September 1885, page 14

A shock of earthquake was experienced at Bombala on Friday night, 11th inst.

1885 10 27 at 14:00 UTC, Bombala

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Thursday 29 October 1885, page 10

BOMBALA, WEDNESDAY.

A shock of earthquake was felt here last night about 12 o’clock.

1886 02 08 at 02:15 UTC,  Cobar – mining induced?

The first reported earthquake of the year in NSW was at Cobar

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Tuesday 9 February 1886, page 10

COBAR, Monday.

Two shocks of earthquake were felt here at 12.15 p.m. to-day. The first shock was a light one, but the second, which immediately followed it, was very severe. The shocks appeared to be travelling from north to south.

Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 – 1912), Saturday 13 February 1886, page 325

COBAR, Tuesday. A shock of earthquake occurred yesterday. It was felt severely in the lowest levels of the mine.

The year turned out to be a very active one for NSW with activity reported across the state, the largest, in late November near Gunning, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake.

1886 03 25 at 21:02 UTC, Mulgoa?

In 1933 Edgeworth David recalled, during an interview, previous earthquakes in NSW including a ‘notable’ earthquake at Mulgoa near Penrith reported by Mr Collins in March 1868, the year of the widely felt earthquake near Yass. 

The earlier Australian Town and Country Journal of Saturday 6 February 1892 published a record of Earthquakes in Australia and mentioned:Daniel Collins, of Mulgoa, 30 miles east of Sydney, reported a shock on March 26 7.2 a.m. ; it passed under the house from north to south, and lasted 4sec.

This earthquake does not seem to have been felt in Sydney, nor in Penrith. It is quite possible that the month is reported incorrectly and should be April, not March.  (see details 1886 04 25 below).

1886 04 14 at 00 UTC, Carcoar

The Thursday edition of the South Australian Register, 15 April 1886, page 5 reports:

Sydney, April 14.

At Carcoar on Wednesday a very distinct shock of earthquake took place at 10 a.m., and was felt in various parts of the district. The shock seemed to travel from a south-easterly direction. In many parts the vibration was felt in the houses, especially in the town of Sydney.  

1886 04 25 21:02 UTC, Lithgow vicinity 

This earthquake was widely reported, for example The Sydney Morning Herald of Tuesday 27 April 1886, page 7 and Thursday 29 April page 12 reported: 

SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE.  

LITHGOW, MONDAY.

A severe shock of earthquake was felt here this morning at two minutes past 7, lasting several seconds. The direction of the wave was from east to west.

 Figure 18 Isoseismal map of the April 1886 earthquake near Lithgow.

SINGLETON, MONDAY.

A slight shock of earthquake was felt here at 7 o’clock this morning, lasting about 15 seconds. The vibration appeared to travel from south-east to north.

A few residents of Bathurst also felt the earthquake at about 7 a.m. and it is quite probable that it was felt at Mulgoa, April not March as mentioned above.

The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Saturday 1 May 1886, page 16S

The Recent Earthquake.— Concerning the earthquake reported in the Herald of Tuesday, the Government Astronomer, Mr. H. C. Russell, writes —”In addition to the places mentioned in your columns at which the earthquake was felt on Monday morning, I have a letter from J. H. Cox, Esq., of Negoa, near Muswellbrook, stating that the earth tremor was felt there at 7 a.m., and lasted four or five seconds, during which the house was felt to shake. 

At Burwood, also, the shock was sufficient to rattle the crockeryware. I did not feel the shock, nor was it sufficient at the Observatory to record itself upon any of the instruments.” Writing from Windsor on Tuesday, Mr. John Tebbutt says:– ” The earthquake shock referred to in your issue of to-day was distinctly felt here at half a minute past 7 o’clock on Monday morning. It lasted about three seconds. It shook everything in my bedroom, and likewise the window sashes and shutters. It was impossible to determine satisfactorily the direction of the shock, but it appeared to me to be vertical.”

The SMH of Friday 30 April 1886, page 8 mentioned that several people in Orange also felt the earthquake. Obviously the epicentre must be nearer Lithgow than any other place reporting the earthquake, the uncertainty is high. All the same the felt area is large corresponding to a magnitude of ML5. 

1886 06 10 at 13:50 Eruption of Mt Tarawera, New Zealand – Heard Sydney?

The Globe Friday 11 June 1886 Page 3 attributes shaking and sounds heard in Sydney to the eruption of Mt Tarawera volcano, NZ. It is possible that the blast was heard given that the Krakatoa eruption was heard as far away as Alice Springs but there are no other reports confirming it than those in the article.

THE EARTHQUAKE HEARD IN SYDNEY. 

Last, night at ten minutes to twelve o’clock as Mr. Macgregor, of the firm of Macgregor, and Foy, was about to enter his residence in Phillip-street, in company with Mr. F. Fligg, of the stamp office, the attention of both gentlemen was attracted by a deep, low, moaning sound, coming from due east. Presently the sound was repeated with equal force and a third time they heard it, but it was much fainter. They were greatly impressed, and on entering the house went to the room of Mr. Arthur Logan to arouse him and tell him of it. They found that gentleman awake, and he had not only heard the sound, but had attributed it to an earthquake, and averred that it woke him, and that his windows shook and rattled. This morning the story was very generally scouted by those to whom these gentlemen told it, but when the first intelligence of the earthquake was published in the Globe, they called at this office and told us the above particulars. At that time the hour at which the earthquake took place had not been ascertained. It now appears that it was ten minutes past two, and as the scene of the calamity is about twenty-four degrees east of Sydney, there is no doubt of the exact coincidence of time. There is every reason to believe that the effects of the earthquake which occurred at that moment were actually felt, although faintly, at this distance, at least fourteen hundred miles (Ed. 2340km by Google Earth).  

1886 08 02 10:50 UTC, Tasman Sea

Goulburn Evening Penny Post Tuesday 3 August 1886, page 2 mentions an earthquake near Bega: 

 A smart shock of earthquake was felt at Bega yesternight, lasting for thirty seconds. Another slight shock was experienced early this morning.

The Meteorological Report in The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 4 August 1886, page 9 mentions that shocks of earthquake were felt at: Bodalla, shock of earthquake last night at 8.50 p.m. travelling N. to S.; Bega, shock of earthquake last night at 8.54 travelling S.E. to N.W.; Cape St George shock of earthquake last night at 9.50.

 Figure 19 Tasman Sea earthquake of 2nd August 1886 felt along the SE coast of NSW.

The Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday 10 August 1886, page 8 quotes the Bombala Times:

The Bombala Times of Friday last says that on Monday evening, at about 10 minutes to 9, a severe shock of earthquake was felt to pass through Bombala. There are various opinions as to the direction it took, the majority thinking it travelled from N.E. to S.W. It was about as strong a shock as we have experienced for a long time; windows and doors rattled, bottles danced a fandango, and the inhabitants were considerably startled. It lasted for several seconds, and was accompanied by a deep rumbling noise, distinctly heard as it rolled away in the distance.

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Tuesday 3 August 1886, page 4

Earthquake at Eden.

A telegram was received in the Exchange to-day, to the effect that a shock of earthquake, lasting half a minute, was felt at 8.45 on Monday night. The motion was apparently from south to north.

This earthquake was felt along a narrow stretch of the SE coast of NSW, from Jervis Bay to Eden, inland only as far as Bombala. The epicentre had to be offshore in the Tasman Sea, that or the newspaper reports are fictional. The felt radius is equivalent to a magnitude of about 5.1 but the location is quite uncertain, so it could have been even larger and further away.

1886 08 29 19:15 UTC, Young

The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser of Tuesday 31 August 1886, page 3 reports an earthquake at Young:

Monday, 8 p.m. An alarming shock of an earthquake was felt at Young early this morning, and caused considerable alarm, every resident being awakened by the report.

The Clarence and Richmond Examiner and New England Advertiser (Grafton), Saturday 4 September 1886, page 4 also mentions the earthquake:

SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE AT YOUNG.—An alarming shock of earthquake occurred at Young on Monday morning at 5.15, travelling from west to east. The governor of the gaol was awakened by the report, and rushed into the prison yard, thinking the wall had fallen. The warder on guard was in great alarm, and says he distinctly heard the western wall vibrate. Nearly every resident was awakened by the shocks which caused windows to rattle most unmistakably.

Nearly everyone awakened, goods off shelves, the shaking was strong but there are no felt reports from other towns so the earthquake cannot have been much bigger than magnitude 3.5 so it was virtually under Young.

1886 09 06 at 18:30 UTC, Newcastle 

According to the Evening News of Tuesday 7 September 1886, Page 6, an earthquake rattled Newcastle early on Monday morning: 

Earthquake in Newcastle. — A shock of earthquake was felt in Newcastle on Monday morning, at half-past 4 o’clock. The vibration was very distinct, and rattled loose articles about. The duration of the shock was about 5sec.

The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser Tuesday 14 September 1886, p 5.

1886 09 12 night local time, Bombala

Several newspapers including the Sydney Morning Herald of Wednesday 15 September page 10 mentioned an earthquake at Bombala, but no time:

BOMBALA, TUESDAY.

It rained heavily here on Friday night and Saturday morning. A few light showers have fallen since. At present the weather is dry and warm.

There was a slight shock of earthquake on Sunday night.

This event is possibly an aftershock of last month’s earthquake. The same evening an earthquake was felt more than 400km away near Newcastle at West Maitland.

1886 09 12 at 09:30 UTC, West Maitland 

The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser of Tuesday 14 September 1886, page 5 suggests an earthquake was felt in West Maitland:

EARTHQUAKE.—A shock of earthquake is said to have been distinctly felt by several residents of West Maitland on Sunday evening, between 7 and 8 o’clock, Mr. William Filmer, who was sitting in a backroom at his residence, heard a rumbling noise, and is confident that it was produced by earthquake. Occupants of another house in town also assert that the shock was very distinct.

With no further information we assign this a magnitude of 3.0 and a location at West Maitland.

1886 11 29 at 17:00 UTC, Gunning

An isoseismal map was published for this earthquake (Rynn and others, 1987) that they rated at  magnitude 5.5 from the felt area, and their location was near Yass where minor damage was reported though they counsel that the location was very poorly determined. The information presented here would change the shape of the inner isoseismal and shift the epicentre nearer Gunning and Dalton. At Dalton the earthquake was rated a severe shock but no details (Goulburn Evening Penny Post Saturday 4 December 1886, page 6) whilst at Gunning it was the most severe ever experienced, and much alarmed many of the residents whose houses seemed to rock to and fro (Goulburn Herald Thursday 2 December 1886, page 2). It was not felt in Sydney.

 Figure 20 The Gunning earthquake isoseismal map, 1886 11 29.

An interesting postscript appeared in the Goulburn Penny Post on Thursday 9 December page 4:

The Recent Earthquake. we (Echo) are informed by Mr. C. H. Russell, the Government Astronomer, that the record at Lake George shows no sign of the earthquake, although the observer felt it; and the Newcastle tide sheet is also without mark of the earthquake. It would seem, therefore, that the vibration must have been so momentary that it did not set the water in motion.

The Goulburn Evening Penny Post Tuesday 30 November 1886, page 2 commented in a light-hearted manner on the effect of the earthquake at the Goulburn Hospital. The shaking was sufficiently pronounced that Mrs. Guille, the matron of the hospital, got up and did a ward round to check on the patients. The newspaper summarised the effects of the earthquake in a previous paragraph:

EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS. Two distinct shocks of earthquake were experienced in Goulburn this morning at about 3 o’clock. They were accompanied by a loud rumbling sound, and were so severe that the majority of persons were awakened. Houses shook, beds oscillated, crockery and windows rattled, and dogs barked excitedly. Different accounts are given as to the duration of the shocks; but each appears to have lasted several seconds, and there was only a slight intermission between the two. The rumbling sound died away gradually at the close. The shocks were experienced at Bathurst, Yass, Bungendore, Michelago, and Gunning, and doubtless through the whole colony. Opinions vary as to the direction of the current; but the majority believe that it travelled from west to east. They were undoubtedly the most severe shocks ever experienced in Goulburn—at all events, within the memory of most of the inhabitants; and no little excitement has been caused, the occurrence being the principal topic of conversation to- day. A correspondent writes as follows:— ” About 3 a.m. this morning two very severe shocks of earthquake running north and south were experienced, the first shock lasting about seven seconds and the last about ten seconds, about five seconds elapsing between the two shocks, the last being accompanied with a heaving sensation and a rumbling like distant artillery. The shocks were severe enough to cause all the glassware and crockery in the room to rattle and the bedsteads to heave to and fro in the direction of the shocks, the vibration lasting fully three minutes after the shocks. The sky was clear at the time, excepting a bank of dark clouds running north and south, the stars having a particularly bright appearance. 

Yours obdtly., Fred. H. Wedd, Salford House, Sloane-street.” 

Gunning, Tuesday. A severe earthquake shock occurred this morning at 2.55, lasting fully a minute. It appeared to travel west to east, followed by a slight shock. 

Burrowa, Tuesday. A severe shock of earthquake was felt here this morning at about 3 o’clock. It lasted several seconds, and shook houses very much, frightening several of the inhabitants. Several things in different houses were shaken from the shelves and other places. No serious damage was done. About half-an-hour afterwards another light shock was felt. The first shock was the heaviest ever felt in Burrowa.

1887 07 28 at 07:20 UTC (5:20 pm local time), felt Nyngan and district

Smart earthquake shock occurred at Wilgar Downs about 5 p.m. on July 28. Heavy rumbling noise toward the south-east, lasting nearly a minute, and appeared to travel toward the west; another slight shock was felt on 29th. The shock of the 28th was severely felt at Booroomugga. At Girilambone the station-master rushed out of his room, thinking the floor was rising. At Nyngan houses were shaken. It was sharply felt at Cannonbar, and caused the waters of Duck Creek to rise over the knees of a man fishing on the bank and threw fish out of the water. (Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney), Saturday 6 February 1892, page 28).

A more contemporary account appears in the Evening News of Friday 29 July 1887, page 5: 

Shock of Earthquake.

Nyngan, Thursday evening. — A shock of earthquake occurred here at about 5.20 p.m. this afternoon. The vibration lasted for nearly 20sec. and caused no little excitement among the residents. The shock was first felt at the railway station, where it caused a number of the officials to feel considerably alarmed. The telegraph operator rushed out of the office. Barrett’s Hotel was also shaken heavily. Old residents of Nyngan affirm that this is the first shock of earthquake experienced at Nyngan within their memory. 

Canonbar, Thursday evening. — Two sharp shocks of earthquake, accompanied by a rumbling noise, were felt here about 23min past 5 this evening. Each shock lasted about 5sec. No damage was done.

The felt area corresponds to a magnitude of at least 4.0, but it was probably larger than this.

1888 01 12 early morning, Congewai near Ellalong 

The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 27 January 1888, page 7 mentions an earthquake but it was rather a massive collapse, interesting because of the nearby earthquake in 1994 at Ellalong.

A REMARKABLE occurrence, which is looked upon by those residing in the neighbourhood to have been an earthquake, took place early on the morning of the 12th instant on the grazing estate known as Congewai the property of Messrs. F. and W. Dodds, in the Wollombi district, near the township of Ellalong. At the time mentioned two or three of the people living thereabouts declare they felt a tremor and shock of the ground as of an earthquake, and immediately there was a cave-in of about 150 acres on the estate referred to. The ground sank to a depth of 10ft. and in some places 15ft, with a width of 8ft., carrying trees, rocks, &c., with it, and was split up and crossed in all directions by cracks and fissures of various shapes and sizes, the main fissure surrounding the whole almost in the form of a circle, being about a mile in circumference. Inside this line the ground was all broken up ; in some places it was depressed into holes and fissures ; in others it was raised up, so that here and there the surface looked liked waves of the sea, so far as mere conformation went. A line of fencing running across the land was thrown completely down. It is impossible to drive even cattle across it, so much is it broken up. Many of the roots of trees have been snapped asunder as if cut with a crosscut saw. Most of the crevices and depressions became filled with water, which has a very strong, mineral taste and a cloudy or milky colour. The country in which the miniature earthquake took place is of a very mountainous character. It might be worth the while of the Government Geologist to take a trip to the scene to ascertain its exact character, with a view to enlightening the scientific world, at least, upon the subject.

1888 02 06 at 12:30 UTC, Goulburn

GOULBURN, Tuesday. (SMH Wednesday 8 February, 1888, page 10).

Sydney, 7^th February. A very slight shock of earthquake was experienced here last night at about half-past 10. It lasted several seconds, but was so slight that the majority of people did not feel it.

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 – 1930), Wednesday 8 February 1888, page 5

SHOOK OF EARTHQUAKE.

(By Telegraph.)

Goulburn, Tuesday, — A slight shock of earthquake was felt at 10.30 last night. It was very gentle, and did not more than rattle the windows. It lasted fully 5sec.

1888 07 05 at 20:10 UTC, Gurrundah

When Burke-Gaffney (1952) tabulated this earthquake he assigned it to the Bowral region but McCue (1996) thought that the isoseismal map showed it to have struck the Dalton-Gunning region, neither was convincing. Reports such as that from Camden and Picton – slight, and Bowral – awakened a number of people, indicate that it wasn’t near Bowral, but the Yass report – distinct and rattled windows and doors was not too dissimilar. By contrast, at Crookwell, it was called the worst shock ever felt there, and the Goulburn experience was  similar. There is no mention of it being felt in Gundagai, though the effects of the earthquake elsewhere were reported.

 Figure 21 Isoseismal map of the Dalton-Gunning earthquake of 5 July 1888, not near Bowral NSW.

The centre of the felt area is between Crookwell, Goulburn and Gunning, east of Gurrundah so that is where we will locate it for now.

1888 10 26 at 13:00 UTC, Narrandera

The Evening News Monday 29 October 1888 page 4 reported the barest details of this earthquake about 11pm Friday, which we can only assume was a small local event, the Star had more details.

Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 – 1909), Saturday 27 October 1888, page 5

Shock of Earthquake.

Narrandera, This Day. — A very severe earthquake shock was felt here at 11 o’clock last night. It lasted ten seconds, and travelled from north-west to south-east.

1888 12 27 at 22:45 UTC, Adelong

Australian Town and Country Journal Saturday 5 January 1889, Page 10.

An Earthquake.

ADELONG, Dec. 28.—A slight, but distinct shock of earthquake was felt here this morning about a quarter to 9 o’clock. It seemed to be travelling in a northerly direction.

1889 06 date/time?, Levuka

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), Friday 14 June 1889, page 5

Two slight shocks of earthquake have been felt at Levuka.

1889 10 04 at 03:40 UTC, offshore Hat head

Evening News Saturday 5 October 1889, Page 6.

Earthquake in the North.

Smithtown Friday. — A heavy shock of earthquake was felt here to-day at 1.40 p.m., the shock lasting about ten seconds, and caused houses, &c., to shake considerably. It travelled from south to north-east.

SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE IN THE MACLEAY DISTRICT.

BEACHPORT, Friday.

A severe shock of earthquake was felt here about 1.40 p.m. to-day. It appeared to come from the S.W. and to travel N.E. A very loud rumbling, resembling a stampede of horses, was heard some seconds before the shock was felt. It lasted about 20 seconds. It violently shook the crockery and glasses in the houses. The weather during the day has been very sultry. A slight shower with thunder fell early this morning.

KEMPSEY, Friday.

A slight shock of earthquake was felt at 1.30 to-day at Macleay Heads and Nambucca Heads.

Figure 22 Earthquake offshore  Hat Head, Macleay District, 4 October 1889, magnitude 4 

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Saturday 5 October 1889, page 12

ARAKOON, Friday.

A sharp shock of earthquake was experienced here at 1.30, travelling south-west to north-east.

1890 04 25 at 16:10 UTC, Tuena (southeast of Cowra)

Evening News Monday 28 April 1890, Page 5.

Earthquake in the South.

Tuena, Saturday. — A shock of earthquake was distinctly felt here this morning at ten minutes past 4, giving some of the buildings a severe shaking. It seemed to be travelling from south east to north west.

1891 03 14 at 15:00 UTC, Kempsey Lower Macleay District

The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 16 March 1891, Page 5.

SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE AT KEMPSEY.

KEMPSEY, SUNDAY.

A distinct shock of earthquake was felt throughout the district, moving from north to south, about one this morning. Numbers of persons were aroused by a rumbling sound, followed by the rattling of crockery and windows. Some wooden houses gave decided wave effects.  

1891 06 14 at 22:40 UTC, Morpeth swarm or ?

Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 – 1893), Thursday 18 June 1891, page 4

A rather remarkable incident was observed by Mr. C. F. Wakely, the postmaster at Morpeth, on Monday last, both in the morning and during the afternoon, which was no doubt a slight form of earthquake. It was first noticed at 20 minutes to nine in the morning, when attention was drawn to the circumstance by the vibration of the windows and the rattling of the bolts in the doors. The movements lasted till 9.32, so that there was ample opportunity of verifying the phenomenon. A similar disturbance was observed at 5.31 p.m. lasting till 6.27. As soon as the movements were observed, Mr. Wakely placed a glass vessel filled with water on the floor of the verandah, a cement one, and the water could be distinctly observed to be agitated, the waves motion being from N.W. to S.E. There was a slight trembling felt and also a slight rumbling proceeding as from the ground. Several other people felt the movements. Mr. Wakely has informed Mr. Russell, the Government Astronomer, of the event.

Such long duration would suggest something other than an earthquake unless it was a swarm. These events were mentioned by Hunter (1991) but dates were not then known.

1892 08 22 at 09:30 UTC, Gundagai

The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 24 August 1892, Page 6.

GUNDAGAI, Tuesday.

During the past 24 hours nearly 3in. of rain fell here. A very heavy thunderstorm raged for fully an hour last night, the lightning being very vivid. About 7.30 last evening a slight shock of earthquake was felt.

1892 08 27 at 20:30 UTC, Cooma

The Adelaide Advertiser Tuesday 30 August 1892, page 5 mentions an earthquake experienced at Cooma:

A distinct shock of earthquake was felt at Cooma and other portions of the Monaro district at 6.30 on Sunday morning. The vibration was considerable, and in a few cases disturbed householders. The tremor lasted about 15 seconds, and travelled from east to the north-west.

1893 07 31 at 16:00 UTC, Goulburn

Two shocks were experienced half an hour apart at Goulburn at about 2 am local time on Tuesday morning. They don’t appear to have been felt elsewhere.

1893 09 25 at 08:45 UTC, Tumut 

This earthquake was widely felt, at Yass (distinct), Gundagai (smart), Tumut (severe), Gundaroo  and Queanbeyan (slight) according to the Australian Town and Country Journal of Saturday 30th September 1893. Goulburn newspapers indicate it was also slightly felt at Goulburn. It is possible that the epicenter was in the Brindabella Mountains west of Canberra but closest to Tumut where it was most strongly felt. This may be a late aftershock of a magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Tumut on 8^th June 1871 at 04:15 UTC and a series of aftershocks that lasted until early 1872 (Prof Dirk HR Spennemann – unpublished isoseismal maps).

1894 01 04 at 11:55 UTC, Albury

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 – 1930), Saturday 6 January 1894, page 5

SUPPOSED EARTHQUAKE AT ALBURY.

Albury, Friday. — it was reported to-day by several residents that, shortly before 10 o’clock last night, they felt a distinct shock of earthquake. The tremor lasted several seconds, shook crockery, and caused some alarm.

1894 05 09 at 05:55 UTC,  Lake Cargelligo

The dates given are contradictory, 9th or 10th May. 

Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 – 1919), Saturday 19 May 1894, p16

Shocks of earthquake were felt on May 9 at Mount Hope and Euabalong, on the Lachlan. Mr. H. C. Russell, Government Astronomer, received a telegram from the postmaster at Euabalong, stating that a severe shock was felt there at 5 minutes to 4 o’clock. The duration of the shock was from 8 to 10 seconds, but no particulars have been forwarded as to the damage done. Mr. Russell subsequently received another telegram from Mount Hope confirming the Euabalong report. At Mount Hope the direction was from north-east to  south-west, and at Euabalong from east to west. The shock was felt at 4 o’clock at Mount Hope, or five minutes after it was felt at Euabalong. The inhabitants of the township were much alarmed, and some de-scribed the phenomenon as resembling the shock that might be anticipated as the result from a heavy subterranean explosion.

 Figure 23 The epicentre is most probably between Euabalong and Mt Hope where it was most strongly felt. The felt area shown is a minimalist area allowing some symmetry in the isoeismals.

Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW : 1860 – 1938), Friday 18 May 1894, p29

EARTHQUAKE.

Within a few hundred miles of Sydney on 10th inst. shocks of earthquake were experienced. A telegram from the postmaster at Euabalong, a township in the flat country which lies on the shores of the Lachlan River, and mid-distant from the eastern coast line of the colony to its western boundary, states to the Government Astronomer that a severe shock occurred there at 5 minutes to 4 o’clock. Another message was received by Mr. Russell from Mount Hope confirming the Euabalong report. At Mount Hope the direction was from N.E to S.W., and at Euabalong from E. to W. The inhabitants of these townships were alarmed, and some describe the phenomenon as resembling the shock that might be anticipated as the result from a heavy subterranean explosion.

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Tuesday 15 May 1894, page 3

The Earthquake.

Mr. H. C. Russell, the Government Astronomer, has received a telegram from Mr. W. Wade, of Ereman Station, 40 miles north of Euabalong, stating that the earthquake of last Wednesday was felt there, also at Dine Dine, 25 miles north of Euabalong, and also at Bedooba, 70 miles north-west of Euabalong. From this it is evident that the direction of the earth wave was from south-east to north-west.

The estimated magnitude is 4.4 with an epicentre near 32.9, 146.1.

1894 05 27 11:30 UTC Cooma

According to the Sydney Morning Herald of Tuesday 29^th May 1894, a slight shock of earthquake passed over Cooma and the district last evening at half nine, lasting only a few seconds. Again we assign a magnitude of 3.5 and a location at Cooma, though what ‘district’ refers to we don’t know. A similar report 22 years earlier mentions a distinct shock of earthquake at Cooma in early January 1872 which may be the last of the Tumut aftershocks mentioned in the previous paragraph.

1894 11 03 at 09:30 UTC, Queanbeyan

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 – 1930), Tuesday 6 November 1894, page 5

EARTHQUAKE AT QUEANBEYAN.

QUEANBEYAN, Monday.— A slight shock of earthquake was felt here on Saturday at 7.30 p.m.

1895 05 08 at 12:50 UTC, Cobar

National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 – 1954), Friday 10 May 1895, page 3.

An Earth Tremor at Cobar.

Sydney, Thursday.

The Government Astronomer reports the receipt of a message from Cobar as follows : — Very distinct earth tremor, travelling from S.W. to N.E., passed here at 10 minutes to 11 yesterday, the noise lasting two minutes.

1895 06 13 at 11:20 UTC, Cobar

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 – 1930), Thursday 20 June 1895, page 4

EARTHQUAKE NEAR COBAR.

Mr. H. C. Russell, the Government Astronomer, has received the following from Kergungah (Kargunnyah), 29 miles west-north-west of Cobar:— “A distinct shock of earthquake was felt on 13th inst., at 9.20 p.m., lasting for about ten seconds, shaking doors and glass in the houses.”

1895 07 21 at 00:35 UTC, Montague Island region

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Tuesday 30 July 1895, page 6

A shock of earthquake, lasting 10sec was felt on the 21st instant at Collector, a town 150 miles S.S.W. from Sydney. The tremor seemed to come from the S.S.W. quarter. Mr. Russell is of opinion that the number of shocks lately are in some way connected with the heavy storm that prevailed over the southern part of Australia about that date. 

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Tuesday 30 July 1895, page 4

THE RECENT EARTH TREMOR.—In the weather chart issued yesterday from the Observatory it is mentioned that at Collector, a township lying about 150 miles S.S.W. from Sydney, a shock of earthquake was felt on the 21st instant, at 11 a.m. The tremor lasted 10 seconds, and appeared to come from the S.S.W. quarter. Asked with reference to the cause of the shocks that were reported in this colony and in South Australia about the date mentioned, Mr. Russell says that he thinks they were in some way connected with the exceptionally heavy storm then prevailing over the southern part of the continent. As may by remembered, the tremor in some parts of South Australia was strong enough to shift the verandah of a building and a wooden building at that, so that it must have been a been a pretty good shake—one of the Wellington (New Zealand) kind.

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 – 1930), Tuesday 23 July 1895, page 7

EARTHQUAKE IN THE COUNTRY.

SEVERE SHOCK.

BERMAGUI, Monday. — A severe shock of earthquake was felt here yesterday morning about 10.45. It appeared to come from a south-westerly direction, and to be travelling north-easterly. It was the severest shock ever felt here.

BODALLA, Monday. — A slight shock of earthquake was felt here yesterday morning at 10.45, apparently travelling nearly south to north. It lasted about five seconds. 

BOMBALA, Monday. — A shock of earthquake was felt here at 10.50 yesterday morning. It only lasted about a minute, but the windows and the walls of the houses rattled considerably, and in some places papers were thrown off shelves. 

MORUYA, Monday. — A very distinct shock of earthquake was felt here yesterday in the forenoon at about 10.45, lasting for 20 seconds. The vibrations travelled from east to west. 

PAMBULA. Monday. — A severe shock of earthquake was felt here yesterday morning between 10 and 11, apparently travelling from south to north, and lasting about 12 seconds, accompanied by heavy rumbling. The buildings in the town could be distinctly felt shaking.

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 – 1930), Tuesday 6 August 1895, page 4.

EARTHQUAKE AT MONTAGUE ISLAND.

A sharp shock of an earthquake occurred at Montague Island on the 21st ult. at 10.35 a.m. A report received yesterday by the Marine Board from Lighthouse-keeper Burgess says: — “The earthquake passed from north to south, and lasted about 30 seconds, causing windows and furniture to shake and rattle. The weather at the time was fine and clear, with a light south west breeze.”

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Tuesday 23 July 1895, page 7

THE SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE.

BEGA, Monday.

A shock of earthquake was felt in Bega on Sunday at 11 a.m.

BOMBALA, Monday.

A severe shock of earthquake was felt yesterday at 10.55. It appeared to travel from south to west.

Figure 24 Earthquake near Montague Island, 21 July 1895, magnitude 5

CANDELO, Monday.

A severe shock of earthquake was felt here on Sunday. The vibration travelled from west to

east.

COOMA, Monday.

A shock of earthquake passed over Cooma yesterday morning at 10.47, lasting three seconds. It travelled from south-west to east.

MORUYA, Monday.

A severe shock of earthquake passed over the town about 10.45 a.m. yesterday. It lasted for 30 seconds. Houses, windows, and crockery shook. It was the heaviest vibration known here for years. The shock frightened a great number of residents.

PAMBULA, Monday.

A very distinct shock of earthquake passed through here about half-past 10 on Sunday morning, accompanied by a heavy rumbling sound and noise as if caused by gale blowing through a forest of timber. The shock was severe for about 10 to 15 seconds, causing buildings distinctly to shake. It appeared to be travelling in a northerly direction.

National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 – 1954), Wednesday 24 July 1895, page 3

A Shock of Earthquake.

 With regard to the earthquake shock reported in yesterday’s Advocate, the Government Astronomer states that the shock was felt on the South Coast between Bega and Moruya, and at Cobargo it was severe enough to displace a verandah.

Snowy River Mail and Tambo and Croajingolong Gazette (Orbost, Vic. : 1890 – 1911), Saturday 10 August 1895, page 3

MALLACOOTA.

July 27.

On the 21th ult. we had a slight shock of earthquake, when the houses shook perceptibly and the windows rattled, preceded by a sound of thunder away to the south-east.

A very large wave came into the entrance of Mallacoota, lifting the schooner Orbost, which was lying off Captain’s Point, anchors and all, and landing her high and dry on the sand-spit in front, where she lies, waiting for another high tide, or for the channel which is working towards her to drop her into deep water again. The visitation by the wave occurred at about 11 p.m. on the night of the 23rd ult., the earthquake preceding it by about 60 hours. 

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Tuesday 30 July 1895, page 6

A shock of earthquake, lasting 10sec was felt on the 21st instant at Collector, a town 150 miles S.S.W. from Sydney. The tremor seemed to come from the S.S.W. quarter. Mr. Russell is of opinion that the number of shocks lately are in some way connected with the heavy storm that prevailed over the southern part of Australia about that date. 

1895 11 04 at 17:48 UTC, Cooma

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 – 1930), Wednesday 6 November 1895, page 6

EARTHQUAKE AT COOMA.

COOMA, Tuesday. — A distinct shock of earthquake was experienced here this morning at 3.48 o’clock, travelling southeast and north-west.

1896 03 11 at 13:00 UTC, Corowa

Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 – 1928), Friday 13 March 1896, page 3

EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS.

SYDNEY, Thursday.— A shock of earthquake was felt at Corowa at a quarter to 11 last night. The tremor had a north-east to south-west direction. The shock lasted fully ten seconds, and during its continuance two distinct detonations as from underground explosions occurred.

Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 – 1899), Friday 13 March 1896, page 6

A shock of earthquake was felt at Corowa at 11.15 o’clock last night. The tremor had a north-east to south-west direction, and lasted fully ten seconds. During its continuance two distinct detonations as from underground explosions occurred. 

Same earthquake, same newspaper, different pages, different times and days.

1896 10 26 at 02:00 UTC, Coonabarabran

The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 30 October 1896, Page 5.

SUPPOSED EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

COONABARABRAN, Thursday.

A remarkable phenomenon occurred in the neighbourhood of Coonabarabran on Monday about midday. A loud rumbling noise resembling distant thunder was heard for several seconds. The atmosphere was calm at the time, and not a cloud was to be seen. The cause appeared to be in the air immediately surrounding the neighbourhood of the sound and apparently travelling north and south. No vibration or tremor was noticeable. Farmers working in the fields were very much alarmed. Reports from various parts of the district confirm the authenticity of the noise. It is supposed to be the shock of an earthquake.  

If it wasn’t an earthquake, what was it? perhaps a distant thunderstorm or a meteorite or ??

1896 11 Thursday ??date and time, Cootamundra

Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW : 1860 – 1938), Friday 6 November 1896, page 20

A shock of earthquake waa experienced at Cootamundra on Thursday.

This might be a confusion with the previous article – no other reports have ben found.

1897 02 14 at 20:30 UTC, Cooma

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Tuesday 16 February 1897, page 6

SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE FELT.

COOMA, Tuesday. — A distinct shock of earthquake was felt here yesterday morning at 6.30, travelling in a direction from east to west.

1897 02 25 at 13:45 UTC, Cooma and Bega, and aftershocks at Cooma

Felt at Bobundara, Bolero, Boloco, Bombala, Delegate, Green Hills, Thornleigh, Kiandra (north-west to south-east), and Lake Wambrook, reported at various stations between 11.45 p.m. and midnight.

This is an example of a magnitude increasing from 3.5 to 4.6 following discovery of the 2nd newspaper report. The epicentre is near Cooma because of the report of a foreshock and aftershocks, the high intensity and being near the centre of the felt area. 

National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 – 1954), Saturday 27 February 1897, page 3.

Shocks of Earthquake.

Sydney, Friday.

In the Bega district a shock of earthquake was felt last night. Doors, windows, and crockery rattled for some seconds. A loud rumbling noise was heard for some seconds before the shock. Great excitement prevailed. In Cooma district shocks of earthquake were felt near midnight lasting with intervals for 25 minutes. Windows and crockery rattled. One shock lasted 5 minutes and further shocks occurred near daylight.

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Saturday 27 February 1897, page 9.

EARTHQUAKE IN THE COUNTRY.

COOMA, Friday.

A severe shock of earthquake was felt here last night, commencing at 11.45 o’clock, and lasting five  minutes. It was accompanied by a noise like thunder and severe vibration, shaking windows, doors, etc. It seemed to travel from south-east to north-west. This was succeeded by a series of lighter shocks, five in all, ending at 12.25 a.m. Another lighter shock, occurred at daybreak. A number of persons felt a nausea like sea-sickness during the first heavy shock.

 Figure 25 Felt area of the 25 February 1897 earthquake – Kiandra to Bega. 

BOMBALA, Friday

A severe shock of earthquake at midnight caused great alarm. It is apparently travelling from the west to the east.

COBARGO, Friday.

A slight shock of earthquake was felt here last night at 11.45.

KIANDRA, Friday

Before midnight last night a very severe shock of earthquake was experienced. It appeared to be travelling north-west to south-east.

The Daily Telegraph reported it was also felt at Wyndham, east of Merimbula.

1897 03 07 at ?time, Corowa

Upper Murray and Mitta Herald (Vic. : 1885 – 1955), Thursday 11 March 1897, page 3

Earthquake shock at Corowa on Sunday.

1897 05 05 at 18:55 UTC, Queanbeyan

The shock shortly before 5am awoke many persons according to the Sydney Morning Herald of Friday 7 May 1897. There were no reports from other urban centres. Again we assign a magnitude of 3.5 and a location near Queanbeyan.

1897 05 10 nightime, Harden

Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW : 1851 – 1904), Wednesday 12 May 1897, page 3.

Earthquake Shock.

Sydney, Wednesday.

A sharp shock of earthquake was felt at Harden on Monday night. The tremor lasted a few seconds, and travelled in a north-easterly direction.

1897 06 12 at 07:45 UTC, Bundanoon

Australian Star(Sydney, NSW : 1887 – 1909), Wednesday 16 June 1897, page 5.

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

BUNDANOON, Wednesday.

The shock of earthquake experienced here at 5.45 p.m. on Saturday appeared to be travelling in a northerly direction.

1897 07 16 at 14:00 UTC, Queanbeyan

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Saturday 17 July 1897, page 5.

AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

QUEANBEYAN, Saturday. — A shock of earthquake was felt here about midnight on Friday, travelling in a north-westerly and south-easterly direction.

1897 08 05 at 13:55 UTC, Orange

National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 – 1954), Saturday 7 August 1897, page 2

Earthquake Shock

A slight shook of earthquake was experienced by a good many residents of Bathurst just before midnight on Thursday. The earth tremor appears to have been very distinct in some places, and the attendant rumbling noise sounded as if a heavily laden trolly or waggon were passing by. The wave appeared to be travelling from north-east to south west. At Orange the shock was also felt, and a little snow fell there yesterday.

Molong Express and Western District Advertiser (NSW : 1887 – 1954), Saturday 14 August 1897, page 9.

A mild shock of earthquake is reported to have been felt at Orange last Thursday week. The mention of the fact has led several people in Molong to remember having heard a peculiar rumbling sound, similar to an earth tremor, about the same time. 

Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 – 1909), Saturday 7 August 1897, page 4.

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

A message from Warne states that a slight shock of earthquake was experienced there shortly before midnight on Thursday. 

HILL END, Saturday.

The shock of an earthquake was felt at Hill End shortly before midnight on Thursday. It lasted a few seconds. Shocks of earthquake are also reported from Bathurst, Lyndhurst, Orange and other places. 

1897 08 16 at 19:30 UTC, Cooma

The Sydney Morning Herald of Wednesday 18 August 1897 page 7 notes an earthquake felt at Cooma at 5:30am on Tuesday morning without further details.

1897 10 20 at 12:22 UTC, Goulburn

The ground shook for about 6 seconds at 10:22pm, the sound like rolling thunder, windows and doors vibrated (Goulburn Herald, Friday 22 October 1897 page 2). 

1898 02 21 at 14:40 UTC, Young

(description in that of the following event).

1898 02 24 at 11:40 UTC, Young

It is reported that a slight earth tremor occurred at Young on February 22 at 12.40, a.m., and again, with increased force, on February 24, at 9.40 p.m. Buildings were shaken, and crockery and glass in several houses were broken. Australian Town and Country Journal, Saturday 5 March 1898, page 14. 

1898 11 11 at 11:30 UTC, Singleton

Singleton Argus (NSW : 1880 – 1954), Tuesday 15 November 1898, page 2

Shocks of Earthquake.

The residents of the town were startled somewhat on Friday night last, between 9 and 10 o’clock, by two distinct shocks of earthquake. The oscillations, which were sudden in character, were apparently from north to south, and then the reverse. The concussion was noticed most in wooden tenements, which were felt distinctly to sway suddenly and to tremble afterwards. Those vibrations were so strong in one or two places that crockery was thrown down from the shelves. When the shock was at first felt various were the conclusions as to the cause. While some at once arrived at the right decision, others again thought there had been an explosion of powder in the town, some that the house had been bumped against by a horse, and others that something had fallen to cause the con-cussion. On comparing notes, however, the general conclusion was arrived at that there had been a subterranean volcanic disturbance. Incidents of this kind, although rare, are not unknown in these parts. A shock of the same kind was experienced here 30 years ago and again about 16 years since.

1898 11 13 at 15:10 and 16:10 UTC, Wee Jasper area

Yass Courier (NSW : 1857 – 1929), Tuesday 15 November 1898, page 2

EARTHQUAKE.

On Monday morning at a quarter past 1 o’clock a sharp shock of earthquake was felt in Yass. The shock passed from west to east. Constable Gibson, who was on duty said that it lasted some seconds. A brief mention is made of this earthquake being felt in Queanbeyan in the following description of an earthquake felt days later in Cooma.

Gundagai Independent and Pastoral, Agricultural and Mining Advocate (NSW : 1898 – 1928), Wednesday 16 November 1898, page 2

EARTHQUAKE.

A distinct shock of earthquake was felt in town on Monday morning between 1 and 2 o’clock. The tremor lasted several seconds, causing the crockery in several houses to shake audibly and startling the inmates. A butcher’s assistant declares he was thrown out of bed by the vibration.

Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 – 1940), Tuesday 15 November 1898, page 2

Earthquake Shock. GUNDAGAI, Monday.—About half-past 1 o’clock this morning a sharp shock of earthquake was felt here —Queanbeyan, Monday.—An earthquake shock was experienced 75 minutes past midnight. It travelled eastwards. The duration was for several seconds. The vibration and noise awoke persons who were sound asleep —Tumut, Monday.—Two severe shocks of earthquake were felt here this morning, the first at 1 o’clock, and the second at 10 minutes past 2 o’clock. The shock was also felt at Gunning.

Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 – 1940), Tuesday 15 November 1898, page 4

Earthquake at Gunning. GUNNING, MONDAY, 2 a.m. A DISTINCT earthquake shock lasting several seconds occurred here about ten minutes past one o’clock this morning, accompanied by a loud rumbling, seeming to travel from the south-east to the north-west. The sound was heard for some minutes.

Goulburn Herald (NSW : 1881 – 1907), Friday 18 November 1898, page 4

GUNDAROO. EARTHQUAKE.—On Monday morning last a shock of earthquake was felt about one o’clock, lasting about a minute; a lighter shock was felt on Tuesday.

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Monday 14 November 1898, page 3

FURTHER EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS.

TUMUT, Monday.— Two severe shocks of earthquake were felt here this morning, the first at 1 o’clock, and the second at ten minutes past 2. 

HARDEN, Monday. — A shock of earthquake was felt here between 12 and 1 o’clock this morning. It lasted quite twenty seconds, and caused a distinct vibration. The course of the earthquake seemed to be from east to west.

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 – 1930), Tuesday 15 November 1898, page 6

SHOCKS OF EARTHQUAKE.

TUMUT, Monday. — Two severe shocks of earthquake were felt here this morning, the first at 1 o’clock and the second at 10 minutes past 2. 

YASS, Monday.— About 12.55 a.m. a very distinct earthquake occurred, and another one at 1.15 a.m. The shock appeared to bo travelling north to south. The rattling of furniture aroused a number of people. 

HARDEN, Monday.— A heavy earthquake shook was experienced here about 1 this morning. There was a sound as of a heavy explosion, followed by a prolonged tremulous motion, lasting about half a minute, causing buildings to rock and crockery to rattle. The motion seemed to travel from east to west. 

MURRUMBURRAH, Monday.— Two distinct shocks of earthquake were felt here between 2 and 3 o’clock this morning.

 Figure 26 Felt reports of the November 1897 Wee Jasper earthquake. Few reports would warrant intensity 3 because most people are asleep at 1am so the felt area, and magnitude 4.3, are likely to be under estimated.

Wagga Wagga Express (NSW : 1879 – 1917), Thursday 17 November 1898, page 4

EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS.

Yass, Monday.

About 12.55 a.m. a very distinct earthquake occurred, and another one at 1.15 a.m. The shock appeared to be travelling north to south. The rattling of furniture aroused a number of people. Harden, Monday A heavy earthquake shook was experienced here about 1 this morning. There was a sound as of a heavy explosion, followed by a prolonged tremulous motion, lasting about half a minute, causing buildings to rock and crockery to rattle. The motion seemed to travel from east to west. Murrumburrah, Monday. Two distinct shocks of earthquake were felt here between 2 and 3 o’clock this morning.

The epicentre is in the Wee Jasper area and the earthquake’s magnitude about 4.3, likely to be an underestimate because of the time of day.

1898 11 16 at 12:05 UTC, Cooma series

1898 11 20 at 15:00 UTC, Queanbeyan

The Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser Friday 18 November 1898, page 2 had the following story:

A slight shock of earthquake was noticed at Cooma a few minutes past 10 o’clock on Wednesday night, by several residents. Other slight shocks are also reported last night and early this morning. An earthquake shock was felt at 1 o’clock on Monday morning at Queanbeyan.

1899 01 03 at 13:05 UTC, Millthorpe

Walcha Witness and Vernon County Record (NSW : 1895 – 1906), Saturday 7 January 1899, p3

Earthquake.

A sharp shock of earthquake was felt at Millthorpe on Tuesday night. A comet was also observed immediately above the moon at rising.

Figure 27 The epicentre of the small earthquake near Millthorpe on 3 January 1899, the magnitude from the felt area about 3.3

Leader (Orange, NSW : 1899 – 1945), Saturday 7 January 1899, page 4

An Earthquake.

A distinct shock of earthquake was experienced in Orange shortly after 11 o’clock on Tuesday night. The vibration was most perceptible, and in many houses the windows and doors rattled. A similar shock was also felt at Carcoar at the same time.

It was not felt at Forbes.

1899 01 20 at 04:00 UTC, Coolac

Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 – 1931), Tuesday 24 January 1899, page 2

Our Coolac News Budget

EARTHQUAKE AND SHOWERS. On Friday last, about 2 p.m., a slight shock of earthquake was felt, accompanied by distinct rumbling noises.

1899 03 15 at 08:00 UTC, Goulburn

The Goulburn Herald Friday 17 March 1899 page 3 reported an earthquake, two shocks heard like a cannon or quarry blast at 6:30pm local time.

Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 – 1940), Thursday 16 March 1899, page 2

Shock of Earthquake. About six o’clock yesterday afternoon a shock of earthquake was experienced in Goulburn. It was of very short duration. The accompanying noise resembled that made by a heavy blast.

1899 03 19 at 19:40 UTC,  Cooma

Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate (NSW : 1894 – 1954), Wednesday 22 March 1899, page 3

EARTHQUAKE AT COOMA.

SYDNEY, Tuesday.

Two shocks of earthquake were felt at Cooma yesterday morning.

Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 – 1912), Saturday 25 March 1899, page 675

Two distinct shocks of earthquake were felt at Cooma at about a quarter to 6 on Monday morning. 

1899 03 22 at 05:45 UTC, Werris Creek

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Monday 27 March 1899, page 4

EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS.

A Werris Creek correspondent writes: On Wednesday last, about 3.45 p.m., shocks of earth-quakes were experienced here and throughout this district, accompanied by a rumbling noise like distant, heavy thunder, and a slight movement of the earth, which travelled in a westerly direction. It was a bright, clear, calm day, and no clouds were visible at the time or during that day. Great alarm was caused inconsequence of the shocks. An earthquake shock was previously experienced here and at Currabubula about twelve months ago.

Walcha Witness and Vernon County Record (NSW : 1895 – 1906), Saturday 25 March 1899, page 3

Earthquake Shock.

On Wednesday afternoon an earthquake shock was experienced here. A loud explosion took place, followed by a rumbling sound. Crockery in the houses rattled and women were terri-fied. The disturbance took a Westerly or S. Westerly course.

1899 11 14 nighttime 4 shocks at Penrith

Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 – 1899), Thursday 16 November 1899, page 6

EARTHQUAKE, SYDNEY, Wednesday. It has been reported to the Government Astronomer that four distinct shocks of earthquake, occurred at Penrith last night, apparently travelling west to east.

Nepean Times (Penrith, NSW : 1882 – 1962), Saturday 18 November 1899, page 4

Shocks of Earthquake.—On Tuesday night last the family of Mr F R Wilshire, P.M., Emu Plains, felt four distinct shocks of earthquake.

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Saturday 18 November 1899, page 11

The shocks of earthquake referred to in Wednesday’s ” Herald ” were felt by the family of Mr. F. R. Wilshire, police magistrate, at the residence, Emu Plains.

They must have been very small and very localised.

1899 11 30 at 12:20 UTC, Balranald and Hay

Riverine Grazier (Hay, NSW : 1873 – 1954), Tuesday 5 December 1899, page 3

THE DISTRICT.

Maude.

Last Thursday night quite a severe shock of earthquake was felt here at about 10 p.m. The wave seemed to travel from east to west, and lasted for the space of about twenty seconds. Many were quite startled, and not a few of the folk could be seen, rushing out in their night attire. Some thought, that the end of the world had come, and one family were so frightened that any more sleep that night was impossible. As far as I can gather, that was the first occurence of the like in Maude, and it will consequently be quite a nine days’ wonder.

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), Saturday 2 December 1899, page 14

AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

Balranald, Friday.

A distinct shock of earthquake was experienced here about half past 10 o’clock last night, lasting for several seconds, and travelling from west to east. Houses trembled violently, causing a great scare among some of the families.

Hay Standard and Advertiser for Balranald, Wentworth, Maude…(Hay, NSW : 1871 – 1873; 1880 – 1881; 1890 – 1900), Saturday 2 December 1899, page 2

Shock of Earthquake.— A distinct shock of earthquake was felt in Hay on Thursday night, about twenty minutes past ten o’clock. So far as could be judged the shock travelled from west to east. In some of the hotels the bottles on the shelves rattled considerably, causing quite a fright to some of the inmates. In one of the stores where one of the firm was at work, the noise caused amongst the goods was very marked, and he thought something serious was going to happen. In private houses the verandahs and windows shook and rattled, and the bedsteads were felt to sway to and fro. About the time the shock was felt there were flashes of lightning in the west..

Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 – 1954), Saturday 2 December 1899, page 10

EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS.

SYDNEY, Friday.

At Balranald a shock of earthquake occurred at 10.30 p.m. yesterday. No damage was done. KANEIRA, Friday.

A slight shock of earthquake occurred at 10.30 p.m. yesterday, apparently travelling south-west.

Figure 28 Earthquake between Hay and Balranald, 30 November 1899, magnitude 4.9 

The Argus Tuesday 5 December 1899, Page 7.

SWAN HILL —A slight shock of earthquake was experienced here on Saturday.

Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 – 1918, 1935), Saturday 9 December 1899, page 19

COUNTRY.

A shock of earthquake, lasting several seconds, was experienced at Swan Hill at about 10:30 p.m on 30th November. 

Bendigo Advertiser Saturday 2 December 1899, Page 4.

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK AT GOORNONG.

Goornong, 1st December.      

A very distinct earth tremor was felt here at 10.30 o’clock last night, and consisted of about seven vibrations, lasting for fully 10 seconds. The wave of motion appeared to be moving in a north-easterly direction. The door and windows of brick buildings, and the verandahs oscillated in a most decided manner. A slight shower of rain fell immediately afterwards, but there was no wind blowing.

Kerang Times (Vic. : 1889 – 1901), Tuesday 5 December 1899, page 2

A slight shock of earthquake was experienced throughout this district on Thursday night between 10 and 10 30. The rumbling noise like distant thunder and the vibration was distinctly felt at Normanville, Tragowel, Capela Crossing, Lake Charm, and Mystic Park as well as Kerang, though the effect was felt in a less degree in the town.

Bendigo Independent (Vic. : 1891 – 1918), Monday 4 December 1899, page 2

COUNTRY NEWS.

BOORT, Friday, Dec. 1. A slight earthquake shock was felt here last night at exactly 10.30 o’clock. The tremor tra-velled from south to north, making the windows

rattle. It was calm at the time, no wind stirring. 

The Argus Tuesday 5 December 1899, Page 7.

SWAN HILL —A slight shock of earthquake was experienced here on Saturday.

Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 – 1918, 1935), Saturday 9 December 1899, page 19

COUNTRY.

A shock of earthquake, lasting several seconds, was experienced at Swan Hill at about 10:30 p.m on 30th November. 

Bendigo Advertiser Saturday 2 December 1899, Page 4.

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK AT GOORNONG.

Goornong, 1st December.      

A very distinct earth tremor was felt here at 10.30 o’clock last night, and consisted of about seven vibrations, lasting for fully 10 seconds. The wave of motion appeared to be moving in a north-easterly direction. The door and windows of brick buildings, and the verandahs oscillated in a most decided manner. A slight shower of rain fell immediately afterwards, but there was no wind blowing.