The key facts about Queensland's quake

SNAPSHOT OF THE QUEENSLAND EARTHQUAKE

WHAT

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake. The initial quake was followed by a 3.9-magnitude tremor four minutes later.

Buildings evacuated in Bundaberg but no reports of major damage.

WHEN

Quake hit at Thursday at 9.41am

WHERE

About 100km east of the Fraser Coast in the Coral Sea, at a depth of 35km. Tremors felt as far south as the Gold Coast and north of Bundaberg. Little risk of tsunami.

HISTORY

Geoscience Australia say it's the biggest earthquake in the area since 5.7 and 6-magnitude quakes recorded at Gladstone in 1918.

Second earthquake in the region this year after a 5.1-magnitude quake hit Eidswold in February.

QUOTE

"These sorts of events are very rare in southeast Queensland. It's probably about as rare as the snow that happened a couple of weeks ago at Stanthorpe" - University of Queensland Professor Jonathan Aitchison.

"Each earthquake is different and we can't predict what may follow but I would expect some aftershock activity" - Geoscience Australia senior seismologist John Bathgate.