THE strongest earthquake in Victoria's history hit the state on Wednesday morning, with tremors felt across the state and as far away as Canberra and Adelaide.
Victorians took to social media on Wednesday morning to report they had felt shaking following the quake, which was originally recorded as a magnitude 6.0 on the Richter scale, later revised to 5.8.
This morning's earthquake was the strongest in Victoria since records began, and according to New Zealand's earthquake monitor, GeoNet, it was the largest mainland earthquake in Australia since 1997. There was no tsunami threat.
According to Geoscience Australia, the 9.15am earthquake was 10km deep and centred at Mansfield. A magnitude 4.0 quake is believed to have struck about 20 minutes later, followed by a magnitude 3.1 quake just before 10am, and several other aftershocks throughout the day.
A statewide alert was issued, warning Victorians to expect further aftershocks and stay away from damaged buildings and other hazards. People were urged to avoid driving, except in emergencies.
Deputy Premier James Merlino said incident control centres had been set up in Mansfield, Dandenong and Benalla, and power had been restored to most customers, but warned the threat wasn't over.
"Geoscience has confirmed that there is a possibility that we may receive further aftershocks and potential risk of further earth quakes," he told reporters. "Indeed, more aftershocks could occur for weeks, if not months."
The State Emergency Service responded to more than 100 calls for help.
There were reports of building damage in Melbourne, including at a Chapel Street burger restaurant, and of a "significant tremor" in the Mallee.
A burger restaurant in Melbourne was damaged during the quake. Picture: Twitter
Mildura's courthouse was evacuated after the quake hit, and Sunraysia Daily Facebook followers reported feeling the quake in Wentworth, Merbein, Mildura and Euston.
Cheryl Rix, of Wentworth, said chairs were swaying and the house moved, while Fionna Wright said it was "a strange feeling" in Merbein West.
Martin Ryan, of Mildura, watched his coffee shake and "blinds going back and forth".
Readers of Swan Hill's The Guardian felt the shake in Bannerton, Tooleybuc and Lake Boga.
"(I was) driving on Robinvale-Sea Lake Road and car was vibrating, thought I had blown a tire but when I got out of the car I could feel the ground vibrating," Mandy Holdsworth posted.
To seek assistance, call Victoria's State Emergency Service on 132 500. For instructions on how to stay safe during an earthquake, visit the SES website.
For earthquake information, visit Geoscience Australia.
No great shakes: Our history of earthquakes
WEDNESDAY'S tremor was the first earthquake to be felt in the Mallee for more than three years.
Before the magnitude 5.8 quake struck near Mansfield on Wednesday morning, the most recent tremor was a magnitude 2.3 quake near Murrayville in May 2018.
In 2014, residents slept through a 3.4 magnitude quake 95km north of Mildura, which happened at 1.22am on August 14.
A 2.9 magnitude quake between Mildura and Broken Hill in July 2011 was reported to Geoscience Australia by just two Mildura residents and caused no damage.
In October 2001, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake in Swan Hill caused damage including fallen chimneys and power outages.
