There are lots of small earthquakes going on all the time, but earthquakes over magnitude 6 are rarer. They are the big ones, which shake more strongly near their epicentres, and which can be felt over longer distances. Today – July 14, 2019 – so far there have been two large earthquakes relatively near each other.

The first was a 6.6-magnitude undersea quake off the western coast of Australia. It took place 202 km (125 mi) west of Broome, Australia, and was equal in magnitude to the largest earthquake ever recorded in Australia, which happened in 1988. Today’s second large earthquake had its epicentre 102 km (63 mi) north-northeast of Laiwui, Indonesia. It was an even bigger earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.3.

Meckering Earthquake damage. October 15 1968. Picture: The West Australian

In the town of Labuha, one of the closest to the epicentre, panicked residents took to motorcycles in a bid to flee to higher ground, according to an AFP photographer in town when the earthquake hit.

Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where tectonic plates collide.

The equal-largest earthquake recorded in Australia has hit off the Kimberley coast, shaking items off shelves and stunning local residents who had never felt a tremor before. The 6.6 magnitude undersea quake struck at 3.39pm AEST on Sunday between Port Hedland and Broome.

There is no threat of a tsunami to the Australian mainland, islands or territories, the weather bureau said.