The Wheatbelt is more likely to experience earthquake ground shaking than other parts of the country according to latest update to the National Seismic Hazard Assessment (NSHA) for Australia.
The area appeared alongside the Gippsland in Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory in the list of areas most susceptible to earthquakes.
Senior seismologist Dr Trevor Allen said although Australia is not usually associated with large, damaging earthquakes on average 100 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or larger are detected across the country each year.
“It’s impossible to accurately predict exactly when and where an earthquake will occur but the history of earthquake activity in a region can tell us a lot about its potential risk for future earthquakes,” he said.
Dr Allen said consistent with previous assessments the Wheatbelt continues to be one of the regions with the highest estimated seismic hazard.
“The Wheatbelt has high rates of historical seismicity, including the 1968 magnitude 6.5 earthquake near Meckering,” he said.
“We estimate Wheatbelt communities could expect to experience a magnitude 5.0 earthquake every 10 to 25 years.
“In regions like the Wheatbelt and Gippsland with higher seismic hazard, it is an essential tool for developing mitigation strategies that make at risk communities more resilient.”
Dr Allen said earthquakes can still occur in unanticipated locations where we may not have many historical observations.
“Although we cannot predict the exact day, time and place of a large, damaging earthquake, we can apply best practice and evidence-based science to make sure communities are as prepared as possible.”