Mainland Australia rattled by 10th tremor in less than 7 days

June 8, 2012 – AUSTRALIA – An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 was recorded between Tamworth and Gunnedah tonight. Emergency services received phone calls from areas including Tamworth, Gunnedah and Maules Creek from about 9.30 pm reporting that the ground moved and buildings rattled. No one has been reported injured and there have been no reports of damage. There has been reported of sirens in Armidale. Geoscience Australia reported a quake of 4.2 magnitude at 9.31 pm. Geoscience Australia said the quake could have been felt up to 76 kilometres away and caused damage up to 6 kilometres away. It shows there were two distinct tremors. Geoscience Australia data shows it was the 10th tremor recorded in mainland Australia this week. It had a depth of 17 kilometres. Police media said they had received a number of calls from Tamworth residents who reported their windows had shaken and thought someone was trying to break in. The quake struck west of Manilla north of Lake Keepit. The quake is not considered one to launch a tsunami. A Boggabri resident told the Newcastle Herald they felt the quake. ‘‘I just felt a quake like ten minutes ago, it shook my whole house,’’ he said. Richard Turner, of Invergowrie said there was one tremor and then another two minutes later. ‘‘I contacted other neighbours they confirmed they had the same thing,’’ he said. “A deep rumble and things shaking. Twitter and hashtag Tamworth was abuzz in the minutes after the quake. ‘‘Long weekend started with a bang,’’ Benjamin Paton tweeted. ‘‘First short like a strong sudden wind. Second about two minutes later, strong, longer, house shuddering. ‘‘All is fine, no damage, and all are safe, just a little shook up.’’ Others were quick to blame coal seam gas for the incident. –Newcastle Herald