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 on the Richter scale, but was later revised to magnitude 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 on-land earthquake in Australia since 1997. There is no tsunami threat.
According to Geoscience Australia, the earthquake was 10km deep and centred at Mansfield towards Victoria's alps at around 9.15am. A second magnitude 4 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 warning 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 three incident control centres have been set up in Mansfield, Dandenong and Benalla, and power had been restored to most customers, but warned the threat wasn't over yet.
"Geoscience has confirmed that there is a possibility that we may receive further aftershocks and potential risk of further earth quakes. Indeed, more aftershocks could occur for weeks, if not months," he told reporters.
The State Emergency Service responded to more than 100 requests for help.
There are reports of building damage in Melbourne, including at a Chapel Street burger restaurant, and of a "significant tremor" being felt 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 commenters sounded off, saying they felt the quake in Wentworth, Merbein, Mildura and Euston.
Cheryl Rix in Wentworth said chairs were swaying and the house moved, while Fionna Wright said it was "a strange feeling" in Merbein West.
Martin Ryan in Mildura watched his coffee shake and "blinds going back and forth too".
Reader's of Swan Hill's The Guardian also felt the shake in Bannerton, Tooleybuc and Lake Boga.
"(I was) driving on Robinvale-Sea Lake road and car was vibrating, thought l had blown a tire but when l got out of the car l could feel the ground vibrating," Mandy Holdsworth said.
If you have building damage or require assistance, you can contact 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: the Mallee's history of earthquakes
The main street of Murrayville, south-west of Mildura.
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, Sunraysia's 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.
