Two small earthquakes rattled New South Wales early this morning, according to Geoscience Australia. A 3.4 magnitude quake struck near Orange around 5:45am, with at least 108 people reporting they felt the shaking. A separate 3.2 magnitude temblor hit near Wilcannia two hours earlier, though only two people reported feeling that event.
The quake near Orange prompted the evacuation of a goldmine in the area, with work paused as a safety precaution. No injuries or major structural damage have been reported, but operations remain halted while assessments are conducted. The exact mine was not specified in the source.
Geoscience Australia's monitoring indicates these were small-magnitude events, common in the region. The 3.4 quake, while minor, was widely felt due to its proximity to populated areas around Orange. The Wilcannia quake, in a more remote location, generated minimal reports.
Local authorities are conducting inspections to ensure infrastructure and mining safety. The goldmine's operator has not commented on when work might resume. These events serve as a reminder of seismic activity in NSW, though experts note such small quakes rarely cause significant damage.
No official statements on broader implications were available at time of reporting.