Residents in the Hunter region of New South Wales have been shaken by an earthquake of magnitude 3.4.

At 5:18 a.m. on Tuesday, the earthquake occurred 2 km below the Bulga open-cut coal mine, 15 km southwest of Singleton.

As residents of Singleton and the neighboring town of Broke awoke to the early morning tremors, up to 21 felt reports were documented.

It is the most recent of several comparable earthquakes that have occurred in the area in recent months.

Last year, between August and November, 50 shakes were recorded.

The largest earthquake to strike portions of the NSW Hunter region in fifty years was one of August’s tremors.

At 12:02 p.m., a 5.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the hamlet of Denman, sparking speculation that nearby coal mining was to blame.

“It’s a little smaller than the Newcastle earthquake, and there was another one 5.3 (magnitude) in 1994,” UNSW geophysicist Stuart Clark said of the event.

“The cause is compressional forces across the continent but the trigger is potentially coal mining.”

After Tuesday’s earthquake, local federal MP Dan Repacholi encouraged citizens who were having trouble with their insurance to get assistance.

“Another earthquake for the Hunter this morning. 3.4 magnitude at around 5:20am,” he posted online.

“Right near the Bulga and Mount Thorley Warkworth mines. If anyone has any issue with insurance claims, make sure you reach out.”

Residents in the Hunter region of New South Wales were jolted awake by a surprise earthquake that struck before dawn, measuring at a magnitude of 3.4. The earthquake, which occurred at 5:18 a.m. on Tuesday, originated 2 km below the Bulga open-cut coal mine, located 15 km southwest of Singleton.

As the residents of Singleton and the nearby town of Broke felt the tremors in the early morning hours, up to 21 reports were documented. This recent earthquake is just one of several similar seismic events that have been felt in the area in recent months. Last year, between August and November, a total of 50 shakes were recorded.

One of the most significant earthquakes to hit the NSW Hunter region in fifty years took place in August, when a 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck the hamlet of Denman at 12:02 p.m. This event raised concerns about the potential impact of nearby coal mining activities on the region’s seismic activity.

UNSW geophysicist Stuart Clark commented on the recent earthquake, noting that while it was smaller than the infamous Newcastle earthquake and a 1994 tremor measuring 5.3 in magnitude, the compressional forces across the continent could potentially be attributed to coal mining as the trigger.

In response to the earthquake, local federal MP Dan Repacholi urged residents to seek assistance if they were facing challenges with their insurance claims. Taking to social media, Repacholi shared information about the earthquake and encouraged those affected to reach out for help if needed.

The unexpected earthquake has left residents of Singleton on edge, as they grapple with the aftermath of the seismic event. As the region continues to experience tremors, concerns about the impact of mining activities on the area’s geological stability remain at the forefront of discussions.