Earthquake rattles Australian capital

The Australian capital, Canberra, was shaken by a small earthquake Friday morning that caused windows and crockery to rattle.

The 3.7-magnitude tremor originated 40 kilometres west of Canberra at 5:09 a.m. (1909 GMT Thursday).

Geoscience Australia duty seismologist Steve Tatham told The Canberra Times newspaper there had been four earthquakes in the area in the past decade.

“People are reporting shaking, earth noises, windows rattling and describe it like a heavy vehicle rumbling past,” Mr. Tatham said.