The quiet morning in a remote Western Australian mining community was abruptly interrupted by ground tremors, sparking initial fears of a seismic event. The town of Leinster, situated in the heart of the Goldfields region, felt the earth shake around 10.45am on Thursday, leading to a swift response from geological authorities.
Initial Reports Point to Earthquake
Geoscience Australia initially confirmed the incident as an earthquake, reporting it had reached depths of approximately 10 kilometres. The tremors registered a magnitude of 2.6, causing concern among residents and prompting official monitoring. However, further investigation by seismologists revealed a surprising twist in the narrative.
Mining Activity Identified as True Source
Upon detailed analysis, experts determined that the vibrations were not caused by natural tectonic activity. Instead, they traced the source to a controlled explosion at the nearby BHP Leinster Nickel Operations site. A spokesperson for Geoscience Australia explained that the event was subsequently removed from their earthquake tracking website once the true cause was established.
Senior seismologist Dr Trevor Allen provided insight into the confusion, noting that both mining blasts and earthquakes are measured through ground vibrations. "While it's not a frequent occurrence, it can and does happen," he stated, highlighting the occasional overlap in detection methods that can lead to such mix-ups.
Leinster's Mining Heritage
Leinster is a small but significant mining town located roughly 370 kilometres north-west of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. It has long been associated with the resource sector, particularly through BHP's operations in the area. During peak activity, the site served as a temporary home for more than 800 fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers, underscoring its economic importance to the region.
Historical Context and Community Impact
This incident echoes a previous event from over three years ago, when the underground mine experienced a genuine magnitude 3.5 earthquake. That seismic activity disrupted communication with miners working below ground, adding a layer of historical significance to the latest tremors. Fortunately, the recent mining blast is not believed to have caused any structural damage to the town or its infrastructure.
The Eastern Goldfields locale remains a hub of mining activity, even as operations at the BHP site are currently suspended. This event serves as a reminder of the dynamic interplay between industrial activity and natural phenomena in remote Australian communities.
