A rare earthquake has rattled communities in Australia’s Central West, with residents reporting homes shaking late Tuesday night after a magnitude 4.5–4.7 tremor struck near the regional city of Orange.

The quake, which occurred on April 14, was widely felt across parts of New South Wales, prompting concern among locals unaccustomed to seismic activity of this scale.

Tremors felt across the region

According to early reports, the earthquake’s epicentre was located near Orange, a key hub in the Central West. Residents described sudden shaking that lasted several seconds, with some saying windows rattled and furniture shifted.

While earthquakes of this magnitude are considered moderate globally, they are relatively uncommon in Australia, making the event particularly noticeable.

Emergency services have not reported any major injuries or structural damage at this stage, though assessments are still ongoing.

A rare event for the region

Australia sits within a tectonic plate rather than along its boundaries, meaning earthquakes tend to be less frequent and less intense than in regions like the Pacific Ring of Fire.

However, intraplate earthquakes – like this one – do occur and can sometimes be felt over wide distances due to the country’s geological structure.

Events in the magnitude 4 to 5 range are typically strong enough to be felt indoors and may cause minor disturbances, but they rarely result in serious damage.

Authorities monitoring for aftershocks

Seismologists and authorities are continuing to monitor the situation, with the possibility of aftershocks in the hours and days following the initial quake.

Residents are being advised to remain alert but not alarmed, as most aftershocks – if they occur – are usually weaker than the main event.