Magnitude 3.9 earthquake hits near Goulburn, NSW

A 3.9 magnitude earthquake has struck near Goulburn in southern NSW.

The quake hit at about 6.40am on Thursday with a depth of 1 kilometre.

As many as 270 people have reported feeling the earthquake, according to Geoscience Australia, but it’s not expected to have caused any significant damage.

Residents in Crookwell and as far as Bowral and Mittagong in the southern highlands, as well as Canberra, reported feeling the quake.

Chief scientist Adam Pascale at the Seismology Research Centre told Sunrise people close to the centre of the quake may have heard a loud bang.

‘It’s certainly strong enough to be felt but probably not to cause any damage in the local area,’ he said. 

Many residents around southern NSW reported feeling the quake on social media.

‘Felt in Cowra. House certainly was moving under us, it felt like we were rolling off a wave,’ one said.

‘Thought somebody was knocking on windows,’ one man from Harden, southwest of Sydney, said.

‘Felt the house jolt like something had hit it,’ said another. 

More to come