Magnitude-2.8 earthquake wakes Barossa Valley residents
Geoscience Australia received nearly 250 reports after the tremor, which was recorded near Tanunda early on 19 October.
A magnitude-2.8 earthquake struck the Barossa Valley at 2.26am on 19 October 2026, waking residents and prompting nearly 250 reports to Geoscience Australia.
The tremor was centred at Stone Well near Tanunda, about 55 kilometres north-east of Adelaide. Geoscience Australia seismologist Tania Page said reports were concentrated around Tanunda and Nuriootpa.
Residents reported noisy shaking that rattled shelves. Ms Page said a quake of that magnitude would produce perhaps two or three seconds of shaking, with sounds resembling thunder, a passing truck or a small explosion.
Nuriootpa resident Mark said he initially mistook the tremor for thunder before it woke him immediately. He described a powerful, bass-like rumble lasting about three seconds, possibly longer, and said his cat was also disturbed.
Geoscience Australia says damage is uncommon from earthquakes measuring below magnitude 3.5.
