1989 Newcastle earthquake

1989 Newcastle earthquake
1989 Newcastle earthquake is located in Australia
1989 Newcastle earthquake
UTC time1989-12-27 23:27
ISC event385153
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local date28 December 1989 (1989-12-28)
Local time10:27 a.m. AEDT UTC+11:00
Magnitude5.6 ML (5.4 mb[1] )
Depth11.5 kilometres (7.1 mi)
EpicentreBoolaroo, New South Wales
32°57′S 151°37′E / 32.95°S 151.61°E / -32.95; 151.61
Areas affectedAustralia
Total damageA$4 billion[2] ($9.5 billion in 2022, adjusted for inflation)
Max. intensityMMI VIII (Severe)[1]
Casualties13 dead, 160+ injured

The 1989 Newcastle earthquake was an intraplate earthquake that occurred in Newcastle, New South Wales on Thursday 28 December.[2] The shock measured 5.6 on the Richter scale and was one of Australia's most serious natural disasters, killing 13 people and injuring more than 160. The damage bill has been estimated at A$4 billion (or $9.5 billion in 2022, adjusted for inflation), including an insured loss of about $1 billion (or $2.4 billion in 2022, adjusted for inflation).[2]

The effects were felt over an area of around 200,000 square kilometres (77,000 sq mi) in the state of New South Wales, with isolated reports of movement in areas up to 800 kilometres (500 mi) from Newcastle.[2] Damage to buildings and facilities was reported over an area of 9,000 km2 (3,500 sq mi).

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference NGDC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d "Earthquake". Newcastle City Council. Archived from the original on 10 March 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.