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Geoscience Australia says the quake hit at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres just after 2am, and that the epicentre was near Leongatha, about 135km south-east of Melbourne.
Geoscience Australia cited almost 15,000 felt reports in the area by 3am. Victoria State Emergency Service said there was no immediate threat to the community and no action was required.
Geoscience Australia said the quake hit at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres just after 2am, and the epicentre was near the South Gippsland town, which is about 135km south-east of Melbourne. The federal agency's websites cited almost 15,000 felt reports in the area by 3am. There have been no reports of injuries or damage.
Hadi Ghasemi, a geophysicist with Geoscience Australia, told the ABC it was one of the strongest tremors the region had experienced in the last two decades.
"The shaking was widely felt, close to the epicentre. It was a strong shake but I don't expect any major damage,"Geoscience Australia also confirmed that a 3.1-magnitude aftershock struck, also near Leongatha, just before 3am. Victoria State Emergency Service put out a statement saying there was no immediate threat to the community and no action was required.
"If you felt the earthquake, stay calm, check for hazards, and be prepared for further possible aftershocks," the statement said.
Leongatha Melbourne South Gippsland
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