Aftershocks felt after 6.6 earthquake hits Australia's north west

A series of aftershocks have been recorded off the coast of Broome after yesterday's 6.6 magnitude quake rattled Australia's north-west.

The tremor rocked the Kimberley coast and was felt as far as north as Darwin and south to Perth.

It struck just before 2pm yesterday, 200km off the coast between Broome and Port Hedland.

“We felt it start to shake and we all thought maybe our chairs were wobbling or something. Then everyone kind of got up and cars were shaking, everything on the table was shaking,” Paige Newton said.

A quake of this magnitude a once in a 20-year event, experts say.

“An earthquake that large could devastate a city if it occurred in the city,” Phil Cummmins from Geoscience Australia said.

“So, yeah, it is quite large in that respect. It certainly could cause lots of damage if it occurred right in the city.”

So far there have been no reports of major damage but the earthquake has left its mark.

Shops and supermarkets were trashed in Broome.

A series of smaller aftershocks struck close to the epicentre last night, with locals being warned more could be on their way.