Discussion of “Geomechanical modeling of the nucleation process of Australiaʹs 1989 M5.6 Newcastle earthquake” by C.D. Klose [Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 256 (2007) 547–553]

On the basis of a numerical simulation, Klose [Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 256: 547–553 (2007)] proposed that the MW = 5.2–5.6 earthquake that nucleated beneath Newcastle (New South Wales, Australia) at 10.30 AM December 28, 1989 (AEST), was the result of 200yr of coal mining in the region. We argue here that Kloseʹs [Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 256: 547–553 (2007)] ultimate conclusion is not supported by his own model or by available geological and seismic data. In particular, the 1989 Newcastle earthquake was not anomalous with respect to regional seismic activity.