People in Australia are surprised to learn that hundreds of earthquakes occur below our feet every year. The majority are too small to feel, let alone cause any damage. Despite this, we are not immune to large earthquakes. Australia records at least one magnitude 5 earthquake every year and a magnitude 6 approximately every ten years.

There is no accepted method to predict an earthquake so it’s vital to know what to do during an earthquake as you will not receive any warning. How you should react in an earthquake depends on where you are at the time.

Earthquakes can trigger secondary events such as landslides, tsunamis and fires caused by downed power lines and ruptured gas mains.