What’s happening?
Geoscience Australia is deploying six seismic rapid deployment kits in the Sunshine Coast region following the M5.6 earthquake near Kilkivan on Saturday, 16 August 2025. The locations where the kits will be installed are still being confirmed.
The earthquake was widely felt, with more than 24,000 people submitting reports to the Earthquakes@GA website. Despite the strong response, Geoscience Australia confirmed no measurable aftershocks in the immediate aftermath of the tremor.
What’s happening?
Why it matters
The deployment of these kits allows scientists to record fine details about aftershocks, local ground shaking, and the fault that ruptured. This information will later be published on the Earthquakes@GA site for the public. The findings will also be used to better understand how earthquakes behave in Australia.
Local Impact
Since the earthquake struck on Saturday morning, four very small aftershocks have been detected. Once the rapid deployment kits are active, they will provide precise location and magnitude data for these aftershocks.
By the Numbers
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M5.6 earthquake struck near Kilkivan on 16 August 2025.
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24,000+ people reported ground movement online.
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6 seismic rapid deployment kits are being installed this week.
Zoom In
Seismologist Dr Michelle Salmon explained, “So we’re getting ready to send out six earthquake monitoring kits. They’re our aftershock kits that we mobilise when there are large earthquakes in Australia.”
She said each kit contains both a seismometer and accelerometer. The seismometer measures small motions in the ground, while the accelerometer is able to capture larger shaking. The kits are also fitted with solar panels and a 4G modem to transmit data live.
“These aftershock kits will actually help us to locate the little aftershocks that are happening. That means that we’ll be able to publish them on our site,” Dr Salmon said.
She noted that by measuring aftershocks, scientists can identify the fault that caused the quake and estimate how long aftershocks may continue. “It also gives us information about when and how long those aftershocks might go on for so that’s good for the future knowing how we can forecast those aftershocks,” she said.
Dr Salmon clarified, “One thing you should know about the kits, they don’t cause earthquakes. You’d be surprised how often we get asked that. They just are silently monitoring what’s going on in the ground.”
She also urged people to keep reporting. “If you feel an aftershock please let us know it gives us even more information. So report it on the earthquakes at GA website.”
Dr Michelle Salmon, Geoscience Australia Seismologist: Watch VIDEO.
Zoom Out
The kits will be installed throughout the week, with live data expected as soon as they are operational. Scientists will use the information to map aftershocks, understand shaking intensity, and publish updates online.
What to look for next
Residents are encouraged to continue reporting tremors to Earthquakes@GA. New data about aftershocks and shaking will be shared once the monitoring kits begin transmitting.