1968 Meckering earthquake facts for kids
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| UTC time | 1968-10-14 02:58:52 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 815895 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 14 October 1968 |
| Local time | 10:58:52 |
| Magnitude | 6.5 Mw |
| Depth | 15 km (9 mi) |
| Epicenter | 31°34′S 117°04′E / 31.57°S 117.07°E |
| Fault | Meckering Fault |
| Type | Reverse |
| Total damage | $2.2 million |
| Max. intensity | IX (Violent) |
| Casualties | 20–28 injured |
The town of Meckering in Western Australia was hit by a strong earthquake on October 14, 1968. This earthquake happened at 10:58:52 AM local time. It had a magnitude of 6.5, which is quite powerful. The shaking was so strong it was rated as Violent. The earthquake caused about $2.2 million in damage and injured between 20 and 28 people.
The Meckering Earthquake
The earthquake happened because of a shallow crack in the Earth's crust. This crack, called a fault, was about 32 kilometers (20 miles) long. It was located on the western side of Meckering town.
The ground moved a lot during the earthquake. It created a step-like feature on the land called a fault scarp. This scarp was up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) high. The ground also pushed over itself by up to 2 meters (6.5 feet). It even shifted sideways by up to 0.9 meters (3 feet).
What the Earthquake Damaged
The earthquake caused damage to important structures. It affected roads, including the Great Eastern Highway. The Eastern Goldfields Railway also suffered damage. Even the Goldfields water pipeline, which brings water to the area, was impacted.
The shaking was felt far away, even in Perth. Perth is the capital city of Western Australia, located 130 kilometers (80 miles) west of Meckering.
When the Earthquake Struck
The earthquake happened in the middle of the morning. It was a public holiday, the Queen's Birthday. Because of the holiday, many places were busy. Theatres in Perth were full of children watching movies when the earthquake hit. Luckily, no one was killed.
