Seismic rapid deployment kits rolled out after Kilkivan earthquake
Geoscience Australia deploys six seismic kits after the M5.6 Kilkivan quake
What’s happening?
Geoscience Australia is sending seismic rapid deployment kits to the Sunshine Coast region following the M5.6 earthquake near Kilkivan on Saturday, 16 August 2025. The exact kit locations are still being confirmed.
Since the earthquake occurred, more than 24,000 people have reported feeling the ground movement through the Earthquakes@GA website. At this stage, Geoscience Australia has not recorded any measurable aftershocks.
Why it matters
The rapid deployment kits will collect detailed data on the earthquake and its aftershocks, providing information that can be published on the Earthquakes@GA website. The information gathered will also help identify the fault involved in the event and how long aftershocks may continue.
Local Impact
Four very small aftershocks have been detected since Saturday morning. The data gathered will provide accurate information on their location and magnitude.
By the Numbers
24,000+ reports of shaking were lodged on the Earthquakes@GA website.
M5.6 earthquake struck near Kilkivan on 16 August 2025.
6 rapid deployment kits are being sent to the Sunshine Coast region.
Zoom In
Geoscience Australia 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.”
She explained the kits include a seismometer, an accelerometer, a 4G modem, and solar panels. “That means that we can get all of that data back to us very quickly,” she said.
Dr Salmon noted that seismometers measure small ground motions but are highly sensitive. Accelerometers, she said, can measure larger ground movements. Together, they provide detailed information about aftershocks and ground shaking.
“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, “When we measure all of those aftershocks it helps us to find the fault that has actually broken in this particular event. It also gives us information about when and how long those aftershocks might go on for.”
Dr Salmon said the data would also help with models of ground motions across Australia and could be shared with state emergency services and engineers.
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. They just are silently monitoring what’s going on in the ground.”
She also encouraged community participation. “I still want to push that if you feel an aftershock please let us know. It gives us even more information. So report it on the earthquakes at GA website.”
Zoom Out
The monitoring kits are being installed this week, with data expected to be received as soon as they are operational. Information collected will include aftershock locations and local ground shaking, both of which can be published online and used to improve understanding of the Kilkivan earthquake.
What to look for next
Data from the six monitoring kits will begin flowing once installation is complete. Updates on aftershocks and ground motion will continue to be published on the Earthquakes@GA website.