4.3 magnitude earthquake strikes Eastern Victoria overnight, felt by thousands in Melbourne

12:01 pm on 9 February 2024
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake hit Eastern Victoria on Friday morning.

The quake struck about 130km south-east of Melbourne. Photo: Supplied/Geoscience Australia

An earthquake recorded in Eastern Victoria has been felt by people across multiple states.

The magnitude 4.3 quake hit early this morning about 130 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, in the Leongatha region in South Gippsland.

A Leongatha resident said his bed shook violently, and his pet bird fell off his perch.

More than 4000 people reported feeling the tremor through the Geoscience Australia website - the majority in metropolitan Melbourne, with some in South Australia and Tasmania.

Geoscience Australia said it occurred at the relatively shallow depth of eight kilometres.

The area is known for earthquake activity.

This story was first published by ABC.