Huge earthquake hits off Australian coast
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake has struck just south of Tasmania.
The earthquake was detected west of Macquarie Island, which is south of both Tasmania and New Zealand, on Friday about 2.20pm local time, according to the US Geological Survey.
It had a depth of 10km, USGS said.
The island experienced a 5.6 magnitude earthquake last Friday, according to Geoscience Australia.
Macquarie Island is part of the Australian Antarctic Program and has no known residents.
It was declared a World Heritage property in 1997 “and experiences frequent earth tremors”, according to the Australian Antarctic Program’s website.
Captain Douglass of the ship the Mariner in 1822 famously called the island “wretched”.
“Nothing could warrant any civilised creature living on such a spot,” he said.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
