More than 100 aftershocks have rattled Victoria following a magnitude 4.8 earthquake in South Gippsland, prompting warnings further tremors could follow.

The earthquake struck near Korumburra on October 2 and was felt across Victoria and as far away as Tasmania, with several aftershocks also felt by locals.

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Now, a leading seismologist has explained why the state is experiencing the activity and whether a bigger quake could be on the way.

Why is Victoria experiencing so many earthquakes?

Seismology Research Centre chief scientist Adam Pascale told Sunrise the recent activity was linked to stress building up within the Earth’s crust over many years.

“We’ve had some build-up of stress over many years and this is a way that the Earth releases that at some weak points,” Pascale said.

“This has happened before in this area in Korumburra back in 2009. And back then, we saw aftershocks and another large event soon after.”

Unlike countries such as New Zealand and Japan, Australia sits within a tectonic plate rather than near the boundary where major earthquakes commonly occur.

However, that does not mean the continent is immune to seismic activity.

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Seismology Research Centre chief scientist Adam Pascal says Australia sits within a tectonic plate rather than near the boundary, but that does not mean the continent is immune to seismic activity. Credit: Sunrise

According to Geoscience Australia, the Australian plate moves north-northeast at a rate of about 7cm a year, with interactions with neighbouring tectonic plates generating stress within the continent.

When rocks deep underground break and move along a fault line, that stress is released as an earthquake.

“We don’t have the large earthquakes that they have at the boundaries but our plate is still under stress and it’s being compressed,” Pascale explained.

What should you do during an earthquake?

Pascale said further tremors were possible in the short term, including an earthquake of similar magnitude or potentially larger.

“It’s really important people are aware of the possibility and know what to do if they do feel strong shaking again,” he said.

“Back in 2009, two weeks after a very similar size magnitude, we had a 4.7 and then two weeks later a 4.6 in exactly the same place.

“People need to know what to do to protect themselves in that situation where they feel strong shaking.”

While the possibility of another significant earthquake remains, the timing and size of any future event cannot be predicted precisely.

Pascale urged people to remember three key steps if they feel strong shaking: drop, cover and hold on.

“This week is Earth Sciences Week and there’s an event on Thursday called the Great Shakeout,” he said.

“All around the world, people are practising that drill of dropping, covering, and holding on under something solid like a table to keep yourself safe.”