Hydro Tasmania says its infrastructure suffered “no damage” after a 4.1 magnitude earthquake shook much of the state this morning.
Staff were on site within 15 minutes of the tremor, which struck more than 30 kilometres from Edgar Dam in the Huon Valley.
The quake hit at 6:38am near Lake Pedder in the state’s south-west, at a depth of about 14 kilometres.
“We have extensive seismic monitoring. This is a standard part of our dam safety procedures,” Executive General Manager of Assets and Infrastructure Jesse Clark said.
“Our infrastructure is designed to withstand earthquakes of this magnitude. We’ll continue to inspect and monitor over the coming days.”
The earthquake has reignited questions about dam safety, with the Greens calling for work on Edgar Dam to be suspended until a structural assessment is carried out.
Documents previously published as the result of a Right to Information request showed the consequences of the state’s dams failing in the event of an earthquake would be severe.
But Clark assured Huon Valley residents there were no safety concerns relating to the dam, which is currently being upgraded.
“Edgar Dam as it currently stands can withstand major earthquakes up to 6.8 magnitude along the Lake Edgar fault line,” he said.
“This earthquake was well below that and was not on the fault line. The upgrade will strengthen the dam even further.”
Upgrade works have not been disrupted and will continue as planned.
Greens MP Tabatha Badger said Hydro “must provide parliament with a full report on today’s seismic activity”.
“With climate change driving more seismic events and a magnitude 4 quake recorded today following a smaller one just weeks ago, the risks cannot be ignored,” she said.
“The only fool proof way to avoid disaster is to remove the dams entirely and restore Lake Pedder, delivering global value in the climate and biodiversity crisis.”
Hydro says it will continue inspecting and monitoring its infrastructure over the coming days.
