Intraplate earthquakes, like those in Australia and continental North America, are less common and do not follow a pattern. They can also feel more violent, because intraplate earthquakes generally occur closer to the earth's surface.
When a large earthquake occurs within 10km of the Earth's surface, the fault may rupture through the rocks that make up the Earth's surface and open up a long jagged rent.
Australia has had five such fault breakages in the past 30 years, more than any other country.
All five are in remote areas away from major population centers.
Hidden thrust faults pose hazards to buildings, roads, railways and pipelines which no-one can truly calculate. And just like Kobe, an Australian earthquake is likely to have a shallow epicenter, ensuring maximum damage.
In August 1994, an earthquake of about 5.6 on the Richter scale rattled Sydney and the east coast but it lasted for only about 10 seconds. Still, the tremor was felt over a 300km stretch from Wollongong to the south to Sydney and Newcastle in the north.
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