Meckering Earthquake: Magnitude 3.8 quake shakes houses in WA town

A 3.8 magnitude earthquake has rattled houses in WA’s Wheatbelt.

The earthquake was recorded in Meckering, about 150km from Perth, at 11.12am, with people from Mundaring to Meckering reporting hearing a loud bang and feeling the ground move.

Shire of Cunderdin president Alison Harris said the earthquake had caused some excitement, but there had been no reports of damage.

“It seems like the tremors were felt quite widely from Tammin to Kellerberrin and near Bolgart, but we have not heard about any damage,” she said.

Cunderdin Museum volunteer Graham Cooper said he heard a loud bang and thought there had been a crash outside.

“I didn’t feel the ground shake, but there was a loud bang that went on for a few seconds,” he said.

Tremors from the earthquake rattled homes in Clackline and Northam more than 50km away.

Clackline resident Danielle Cara said she was in her kitchen when her house started to rattle.

“I was wiping the kitchen benches, when I heard glass clinking together and the floor started to shake,” she said.

“I heard a loud rumbling. My first thought was that it was the washing machine… then I realised I hadn’t started the washing machine. So my next thought was oh wow it’s an earthquake.”

A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said there had been no calls related to the earthquake.

The town of Meckering experienced widespread damage in October 1968 after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck the town.