Gnowangerup: WA’s earthquake town cops another swarm

The small town of Gnowangerup, about four hours south east of Perth, has been shaken by a swarm of small earthquakes.

Tremors measuring around magnitude 3 were recorded at about 2.20pm and 4.30pm on Friday, striking just a few kilometres northeast of the town.

Another quake hit the same area on Saturday morning, measuring magnitude 2.7.

The Geoscience website reports 31 earthquakes of varying magnitude within the last week — and more than 70 since February.

The strongest was a magnitude 3.8 which hit around 15km north of Gnowangerup — with eight people reported having felt it.

Gnowangerup 24/7 Fuel Bowsers owner Ron Bett said small earthquake swarms were not unusual for the region.

“It’s not uncommon for us and you get a bit of rattling in your house,” he said.

“With these recent ones, I don’t know of anyone who’s had damage. Sometimes you don’t even feel them.

“I’d say this week alone I’ve heard people mention around ten of them.”

Mr Bett said earthquakes have been stronger in the past.

“About two and a half years ago we had a pretty bad one,” he said.

“A friend’s farmhouse was so badly damaged they had to move out entirely.”