Earthquakes in Queensland, Mag 4.9, 5.6 - August 15

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SUMMARY

A magnitude-5.6 earthquake occurred on August 15, 2025, approximately 80 kilometers west of Noosa, Queensland, as reported by Geoscience Australia. The US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded a lower magnitude of 4.9 for the same event, highlighting discrepancies in seismic data reporting. The earthquake's epicenter was located at 26.458°S latitude and 152.127°E longitude, with a depth of 10.0 km. Local sources, such as GFZ, reported a magnitude of 5.4, indicating the challenges in obtaining accurate seismic information in remote areas.

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  • Understanding of seismic measurement scales, specifically the Richter and moment magnitude scales.
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  • Knowledge of geographic coordinates and their significance in locating seismic events.
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Astronuc
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A magnitude-5.6 earthquake has struck inland from Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Geoscience Australia said the epicentre was about 80 kilometres west of Noosa and 250 kilometres north of Brisbane.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...nshine-coast-risbane-geoscience-aus/105662170

USGS reports 4.9 Mag.

M 4.9 - 20 km ENE of Booie, Australia​

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000r1j3/executive
  • 2025-08-15 23:49:24 (UTC)
  • 26.458°S 152.127°E
  • 10.0 km depth
  • Interactive Map

    Contributed by US


I see different numbers depending on the source.
 
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Rebuild.webp
 
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Largest Earthquake In 50 Years Hits Queensland: Here’s What Happened.
OzGeology.


I received a phone call from a woman I know in Hervey Bay, 120 km from the epicentre, asking if I believed in earthquakes, or if they are caused by the devil. I think that demonstrates the stability of the Australian continent.
 
Astronuc said:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...nshine-coast-risbane-geoscience-aus/105662170

USGS reports 4.9 Mag.

M 4.9 - 20 km ENE of Booie, Australia​

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000r1j3/executive
  • 2025-08-15 23:49:24 (UTC)
  • 26.458°S 152.127°E
  • 10.0 km depth
  • Interactive Map

    Contributed by US


I see different numbers depending on the source.

Because the USGS cannot give accurate info for events well outside their network coverage.
They only have 1 sensor in QLD ( Charters Towers) and it isnt a geophone and is far from the event, so it wont respond well to local regional events

It was a ML5.6 as per the Geoscience Australia info
 
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My recordings from Sydney ....

4.5 Hz Vertical geophone
1755554656088.webp


1 second (1Hz) sensor
1755554689956.webp


20 second long period sensor ---- similar response to the USGS sensor in Charters Towers, QLD
1755554671410.webp
 
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