The 2021 Mansfield earthquake, measuring 5.9 Mw, was one of the strongest recorded in southeastern Australia, causing structural damage across Melbourne.
Key Facts
- Magnitude
- 5.9 Mw
- Date and time
- 22 September 2021, 09:15 local time
- Epicentre distance from Mansfield
- ~53 km SSE
- Injuries
- 1 person
- States/territories affected
- VIC, NSW, ACT, SA, TAS
- Comparison to Newcastle 1989
- Stronger than 5.6 Mw event that killed 13
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earthquake originated from seismic activity in the Victorian Alps, approximately 53 kilometres south-southeast of Mansfield, near the township of Woods Point. Australia sits on the Indo-Australian tectonic plate, and intraplate seismic events of this magnitude are uncommon but not unknown in the region.
On 22 September 2021 at 09:15 local time, an earthquake measuring 5.9 on the moment magnitude scale struck the Victorian Alps near Woods Point. It was felt across Victoria and in several neighbouring states and territories, including New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, and Tasmania.
The earthquake caused minor structural damage in parts of Melbourne and left one person injured. No fatalities were recorded. The event was noted as substantially stronger than the 1989 Newcastle earthquake (5.6 Mw), which killed 13 people, highlighting the relatively limited damage given the higher magnitude.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 0 (earthquake)