Earthquakes can be pretty terrifying and dangerous. They can cause millions in damages and injure countless people.

Although we’ve had our fair share of encounters with earthquakes in Perth, they remain frightening nightmares we want to avoid, especially knowing just how devastating they can be based on our history.

In this guide, we’ll address common questions about earthquakes in Perth—from the strongest earthquake on record to the potential risk of a tsunami hitting Perth because of these tremors. 

What was the strongest earthquake that occurred in Perth, Australia?

The strongest earthquake that occurred near Perth was the 6.5 magnitude earthquake in Meckering on October 14, 1968, at around 10:59 AM. Its tremors were felt throughout the southern half of the Western Australia state.

Although not directly in Perth, it’s only about 130 kilometres from the city and caused significant damage to the whole Perth Metropolitan Area. It caused over $1.5 million (equivalent to $18 million today) worth of damages and injured about 20 people.

The Great Eastern Highway, the Goldfields water pipeline, and the Eastern Goldfields Railway were all affected by the earthquake along with many other structures. It also destroyed about 59 buildings in Meckering.

The earthquake led to the introduction of the Earthquake Code AS 2121 in the country. This code contains updated building codes and design rules that have to be followed during construction to minimise the possible impacts of an earthquake. 

Is Perth prone to earthquakes?

Australia is relatively less prone to earthquakes than other countries in the world, but it still experiences quakes occasionally. Western Australia, where Perth is, experiences the most number of earthquakes in the country.

According to ABC News, out of the 548 earthquakes recorded in Australia in 2021, over half occurred in WA. While not all of them are centred in Perth itself, some happened near enough that tremors were still felt in the city.

The South West Seismic Zone, located in WA, is also one of the most seismically active regions in the country. This seismic zone increases the possibility of future earthquakes happening in Perth.

How does Perth deal with earthquakes?

The National Earthquake Alerts Centre provides 24/7 earthquake detection, notification,  analysis, and advice to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. This helps DFES monitor the situation in Perth.

If a strong earthquake occurs, DFES will issue a warning through Emergency WA. Earthquake Alerts will also be issued to the residents with advice to prepare for potential aftershocks.

What to do during an earthquake?

Here are some important steps to take if you’re experiencing an earthquake:

• Drop to the ground and take cover.

If you’re indoors, look for any sturdy piece of furniture you can take cover in, such as a table or bench. Hold onto the furniture to stop it from moving, and wait until the quaking stops.

• Stay indoors and away from windows.

Don’t go outside during the earthquake as you might end up hurting yourself from the falling debris or objects. Make sure to also stay away from windows and glasses as they can shatter and injure you.

• Don’t use lifts!

Earthquakes can cause power outages and leave the lift inoperable, causing you to be trapped. Getting trapped is actually the better situation because the shaking can also cause structural damage that can lead to the lift falling.

• If inside a store, stay away from overhead fittings and shelves.

The shaking may cause the overhead fittings and shelves to fall. If you’re anywhere near them, you might end up getting a huge injury.

• Stay away from walls, trees, power lines, and buildings.

If you’re outside, it’s best to stay in an open area. Walls, trees, power lines, and buildings can fall and collapse, so make sure not to be anywhere near them.

• Stop driving.

If you’re driving while the earthquake occurs, stop the car somewhere away from buildings, trees, towers, pipelines, overpasses, and bridges. Wait for the shaking to stop for some time before moving again.

Is Perth prone to tsunamis?

Another common topic that comes up when talking about Perth’s earthquakes is tsunamis. This makes sense, considering the city is surrounded by beautiful beaches and the fact that WA experiences the most earthquakes in Australia.

While Perth and the rest of Western Australia have a lower risk of experiencing tsunamis than other parts of the world, they’re not completely immune. The Sunda Trench in Indonesia poses a potential threat to tsunamis in Perth.

That said, the southwest communities, including Perth, face less risk of experiencing tsunamis than areas in WA. Tsunamis can still hit their coastlines when an earthquake occurs in the Trench, but they’re not as strong as those near Indonesia.