Magnitude 4.8 earthquake strikes Victoria, shaking Melbourne and surrounding areas

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck southeastern Victoria early Saturday, with shaking felt across Melbourne and large parts of the state.

Geoscience Australia said the earthquake occurred at 2:01 a.m. local time near Leongatha, southeast of Melbourne, at a depth of about 10 kilometres. More than 16,000 people reported feeling the quake within the first hour.

A magnitude 3.1 aftershock was recorded shortly before 3 a.m., followed by another magnitude 2.5 aftershock at 12:25 p.m.

Residents reported houses, beds and windows shaking for several seconds. The tremor was felt well beyond the epicentral area, including parts of metropolitan Melbourne.

Authorities said there were no reports of injuries or significant damage, and Victoria’s State Emergency Service said there was no immediate threat to the community. Officials warned that additional aftershocks remain possible.