Queensland earthquake: Tremor felt in Townsville, Bowen, and Mackay

A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.8 has rattled Queensland in northeastern Australia, with tremors felt in Townsville, Ayr, Bowen, Mackay and other towns in the region, seismologists and witnesses say. 

The earthquake, which struck at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, was centered in the waters just off Bowen on the eastern coast of Queensland, or just southeast of the city of Townsville. It struck close to the surface, according to seismologists. Geoscience Australia put the preliminary magnitude of the earthquake at 5.8, while the U.S. Geological Survey put the magnitude at a slightly lower 5.7. Witnesses across the region reported feeling the earthquake, but the Queensland Police Service said they had no immediate reports of major damage. It said the earthquake was felt across parts of central and north Queensland. -- Did you feel the earthquake? Let us know what you experienced in the comments below! -- Strong earthquake happen occasionally in Australia though they are relatively rare. A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Northern Territory in May but caused no damage. And in August 1997, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake was recorded off Collier Bay on West Australia's far north coast.