Magnitude 4.8 earthquake strikes Victoria, tremors felt across Melbourne

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck Victoria in the early hours of Saturday, according to Geoscience Australia, which recorded the tremor at 2:01am near Leongatha, about 130km south-east of Melbourne. The agency estimated the quake occurred roughly 10km below the Earth's surface. Shaking was felt across Melbourne's eastern suburbs and other parts of the region.

Geoscience Australia said it had received thousands of reports from people who felt the earthquake. Residents posted about the experience on social media, with Brian Morley of Narre Warren saying the quake woke him, and Theresa Stevens saying it shook her house in Garfield. Reports also came in from Preston, Heidelberg Heights, Venus Bay and many other parts of Melbourne.

Victoria's State Emergency Service described the earthquake as a timely reminder of the drill to follow during such an event. The service advised people to drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, protect their head and neck, and hold on until the shaking stops.

The Bureau of Meteorology said there was no tsunami threat from the quake. Geoscience Australia published the preliminary magnitude of 4.8 and continues to collect reports from the public through its earthquake monitoring portal.