What’s happening?
Following the M5.6 earthquake near Kilkivan on Saturday, 16 August 2025, Geoscience Australia is rolling out six seismic rapid deployment kits across the Sunshine Coast region. The final locations are still being confirmed.
The earthquake was felt widely, with more than 24,000 people reporting the shaking to Earthquakes@GA. In the hours immediately after, Geoscience Australia recorded no measurable aftershocks.
Why it matters
The portable seismic kits will allow scientists to capture live data on aftershocks and local ground shaking. The information will be published online, helping the public and researchers to understand the nature of the earthquake.
Local Impact
Although no measurable aftershocks were initially confirmed, four very small tremors have since occurred. With the kits in place, their magnitude and location will now be recorded more accurately.
By the Numbers
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16 August 2025 is the M5.6 Kilkivan earthquake.
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24,000+ people filed shaking reports online.
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6 seismic rapid deployment kits being sent out.
Zoom In
Seismologist Dr Michelle Salmon said, “So we’re getting ready to send out six earthquake monitoring kits. They’re our aftershock kits that we mobilise when there are large earthquakes in Australia.”
Each kit contains a seismometer, accelerometer, solar panels, and a 4G modem for live data transmission. “That means that we can get all of that data back to us very quickly,” she explained.
“These aftershock kits will actually help us to locate the little aftershocks that are happening. That means that we’ll be able to publish them on our site,” Dr Salmon said.
She added that aftershock monitoring provides insight into the fault that ruptured and how long aftershocks might continue. “It also gives us information about when and how long those aftershocks might go on for,” she said.
She clarified, “One thing you should know about the kits, they don’t cause earthquakes. You’d be surprised how often we get asked that.”
Dr Salmon encouraged residents to stay involved. “If you feel an aftershock please let us know. It gives us even more information. So report it on the earthquakes at GA website.”
Dr Michelle Salmon, Geoscience Australia Seismologist: Watch VIDEO.
Zoom Out
The monitoring kits will begin operating this week. Data will be made available on the Earthquakes@GA website and will help scientists and emergency services understand shaking patterns.
What to look for next
More aftershock information will be shared online once the rapid deployment kits are switched on.
