SA: Second moderate earthquake hits SA this year

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-1999
SA: Second moderate earthquake hits SA this year

ADELAIDE, Aug 19 AAP - An earthquake which shook buildings in South Australia's mid-north
last night was the second of its size to rock SA this year.

The quake, which measured about 4.2 on the Richter Scale, struck at about 8.30 pm (CST) and
had an epicentre near Gladstone, about 175 kilometres north of Adelaide.

It followed a quake measuring 4.0 which hit the Strzelecki Desert in the north-east of the
state in March this year.

South Australian Primary Industries and Resources seismologist David Love said SA usually
only experienced an earthquake of such magnitude about once a year so last night's event was
significant.

But he said while it shook buildings and caused concern for local residents there were no
reports of any major damage or injuries.

Mr Love said it was also unlikely the quake was linked to more serious ones in Turkey and
the United States in recent days.

"It's unlikely, but it's one of those things that's difficult to either prove or disprove,"
he said.

"We did, in fact, record the Turkish earthquake here. There was quite a bit of low
frequency ground movement but it's rather unlikely it had anything to do with triggering this
one (in SA) off."

Mr Love said it was possible the mid-north would be subject to a series of minor
aftershocks over the next few days.

AAP tjd/kr

KEYWORD: QUAKE SA DAYLEAD

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