It has not been established the epicentre of the Quake.
This article is from Log's kept by John and James Green.
The earliest record of Queensland earthquakes are provided by the settlers and explorers John
and James Green. Their diaries have recently come to light and the events they reported are yet
to be corroborated. They provided a vivid account of an astonishing earthquake sequence on the
shores of Lake Cootharaba, north of Noosa, where they were camped on the afternoon of 3
September 1862.
There was an eerie quietness over the land. The birds had fled. There was no
movement of the leaves - not a ripple on the water. David I noted was ill at ease. He
said the earth spirits were angry. A great roar sounded beneath our feet and the
lands shook violently. Trees heaved upwards and downwards - falling in many
directions. I fell upon the ground and could not move so violent was the ground
shaking and sliding - one way, then the next. I could not stand no matter my effort.
The horses cried out in fear as they fell upon each other trying to get upright and
free all at the same time. It seemed an eternity before it ceased. There was a hush as
we quietened the horses and secured them further so that they could not escape in
their fear. I was fortunate to have placed the camp on high ground for the lake
waters had risen considerably to a new shoreline on many feet and gained much
depth of water....The great shaking came again and we were thrown to the ground
as jolt after jolt came forth under the ground. Great waves rolled across the waters
and crashed upon the new shores filling the waters with trash and debris. More
shaking occurred soon after and again and again, until it was no more than
rumbles in the ground.
The Green brothers’ extraordinary account indicates strong earthquake ground shaking
corresponding to a seismic intensity of at least Modified Mercalli Intensity VII. Additional
information may shed more light on the magnitudes of these intriguing earthquakes and any
alterations they may have made to the landscape.