3.6 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Western Sydney and Blue Mountains: Residents Describe Intense Tremors and Swift Response

A seismic event measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale rattled residents in western Sydney and the Blue Mountains on Friday night. The quake, originating 9 kilometers beneath the surface in the Blue Mountains National Park near Warragamba at approximately 8:53 pm, affected areas such as Penrith and Cranebrook. Over 2,000 people reported feeling the tremors, describing a sudden and intense shaking that lasted for about a second.

Despite the alarming nature of the event, the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre promptly reassured the public, confirming there was no tsunami threat to Australia. The NSW Rural Fire Service also verified the earthquake.

Residents shared their experiences, with one individual from Emu Heights describing the entire house shaking, leading to a collective state of confusion among neighbors. Another resident from south Penrith reported hearing a loud bang and instinctively thinking it was an accident before realizing it was an earthquake.

Notably, the quake’s shallow depth of 8.7 km intensified its impact near the epicenter, evident in reports of stronger tremors in the immediate vicinity. Witnesses in Leura mentioned hearing dogs barking minutes before the seismic activity, with one resident, Justin Hale, describing the earthquake as a single substantial jolt. He recounted how his computer monitor rocked back and forth, emphasizing the intensity of the quake, although it was not sustained.

Despite the unsettling experience, authorities have assured the public that there is no cause for concern regarding a tsunami, and efforts to assess the aftermath and potential damages are underway.