Earthquakes in Australia

Both the Mark IV and V Industrial Special Risks policy wordings respond to earthquakes. The earth’s crust is comprised of a number of tectonic plates which move in different directions. An earthquake occurs when the stresses caused by plate movement are released.

Australia is not on the edge of a plate but still experiences earthquakes as the Indian Australian plate is being pushed north against the Eurasian, Philippine and Pacific plates.

Adelaide in South Australia has the highest earthquake hazard of any capital city. Australia's largest recorded earthquake occurred in 1941 at Meeberrie, Western Australia, measuring 7.2 on the Richter Scale.

On 28 December 1989 a quake measuring 5.2 and lasting only a few seconds 15 km south east of Newcastle’s CBD rocked the region. Many buildings in the main shopping district were never constructed or modified to withstand an earthquake and extensive damage occurred.

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Author

Published with permission of Claim Solutions Pty Ltd.

Insurance Policy

Country: - Australia

Policy Description: - Mark IV & V Industrial Special Risks Policy.

Insurer: - Various

External Links

www.ga.gov.au