Magnitude 4.5 earthquake hits NSW

Geoscience Australia reported that the earthquake caused significant shaking but no immediate reports of major injuries or structural damage.

All underground operations at the Cadia gold mine were suspended as a precaution while engineers conducted safety inspections.

Residents described the event as feeling like an 'explosion underneath the house,' with several aftershocks reported in the following hours.

Experts are monitoring the situation closely, noting that while aftershocks are likely, they are expected to be much lighter and localized.