Sunday History Photo. WA
Submitted: Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 01:33
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Member - Doug T (NT)
1968
Meckering Earthquake
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At 10:59 am on 14 October 1968, a 40-second earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter Scale destroyed the town, and had effect on a considerable area in the south western region of Western Australia.As it was the "Queens Birthday" public holiday, the risk of casualties was reduced. Buildings in the metropolitan area of
Perth were damaged as a result of the earthquake, and tremors were felt as far away as
Geraldton, Kalgoorlie,
Esperance, and
Albany.
Many of the buildings collapsed including the impressive two storied town Hotel. Just west of the town on the highway the earthquake fault line is crossed. Interpretation on the impact of the earthquake plus a telescoped piece of the
Perth to Kalgoorlie pipeline are on display in park land in the town. You can also see a ruin of a house that has been preserved. The building codes and various structural issues for Western Australia were modified as a result of the earthquake and further development of earthquake engineering.
Reply By: Smudger - Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 10:32
Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 10:32
I was on holiday with the family on an Uncles'
farm at Manjimup - by my reckoning about 400
miles from
Meckering as the crow flies. Weidest thing ..out in one of the paddocks I didn't feel anyhing, yet my Dad and brother were in orchard not more than 600 metres away and the tees were moving, "like corks on the ocean." And back at the homesteads, two houses side by side, all the crockery fell from the old aunties' kitchen hutch ..and next door, nothing.
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Reply By: Member - Lionel A (WA) - Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 16:24
Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 16:24
If your passing through
Meckering stop off at the Road House.
The rear of the cafe is full of photos, old newspaper reports and local information on the quake.
Great way to spend a few minutes while waiting for your 'Big Breakfast'.
Sausages, bacon, eggs, mushooms, onions, tomatos, toast washed down with a liter or two of iced coffee....mmmmmm.
Its only 20 minutes up the road from me, may go for a quick drive.
Cheers....Lionel.
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