3.9 Earthquake near Roxby Downs - the latest in a spate of earthquakes in South Australia's Far North (Map Geoscience Australia)

A 3.9 magnitude earthquake has struck near Olympic Dam in South Australia’s Mid – Far North AEST: Monday 26 March 2012 at 07:53:20  in addition to a spate of 4 separate earthquakes in the Far North of the state in the past week. 

The succession of medium to significant earthquakes has prompted  Geoscience Australia to begin setting up seismic monitoring equipment in the Far North where three of the earthquakes occured last week including a 6.1 magnitude quake.

Seismologist David Jepsen told ABC news on Monday, “We’re planning a deployment of some seismometers around the [Musgrave Ranges] area to capture all the aftershocks that will continue for days and perhaps weeks.” 

The 3.9 magnitude quake which occurred this morning is not far from the townships of Roxby Downs and Andamooka near the Stuart Highway. Long-Lat Coordinates: -30.324, 136.821 indicate a position near the South Australian Dog Fence adjuncting with Borefield Road on Parakylia Station near Olympic Dam. 

The location is in relatively close proximity to a number of the state’s mining and prospecting operations including the Olympic Dam uranium mine, whose massive orebody engulfs the 35km Masher’s Fault. 

Geoscience Australia says that the 3.9 earthquake (near Olympic Dam), which was recorded at 0 depth, may have been felt by people up to 56 km away.

The data for this earthquake was updated by Geoscience Australia at 26/03/2012 at11:33:20 (AEST) and can be found here .

Recapping: 5 earthquakes which struck the Far North in South Australia are –

16 March, 4.3 earthquake struck in the Musgrave Ranges near Ernabella at a depth of 15 km.
20 March, 3.8 earthquake struck in the Musgrave Ranges near Ernabella at a depth of 10 km.
21 March, 3.9 earthquake struck between Oodnadatta and William Creek in the Arckaringa Basin at a depth of 0.007km. 
23 March, 6.1 earthquake struck in the Musgrave Ranges near Ernabella at a depth of  3 km.
26 March, 3.9 earthquake struck near Olympic Dam/Roxby Downs at a depth of 0 km.