A magnitude 4.4 earthquake that sounded like a “bomb” or “plane crash” has shaken north Queensland, causing some areas to plunge into darkness.

Geoscience Australia said the quake struck near Townsville on Saturday night about 9.31pm, at a depth of about 10 kilometres.

“A lot of people felt this earthquake,” said Geoscience Australia seismologist Phil Cummins.

“It was relatively shallow.”

He said there were reports of the quake being felt along the Queensland coast — as far as 300 kilometres north of Townsville and 300 kilometres south of the city.

More than 4400 “felt reports” were registered with Geosciences Australia by Sunday morning (AEDT).

The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no risk of a tsunami to the Australian mainland or surrounding islands or territories.

The lights went out in a number of suburbs, some of which had been forced to evacuate during the monsoonal downpours and prolonged flooding threat last month.

More than 4000 properties lost power in Hyde Park, Pimlico, Mysterton, Rosslea, Hermit Park, parts of West End and Mundingburra, according to Ergon Energy.

Townsville City Council staff were immediately sent to check for damage to the Ross River Dam, which is 9 kilometres upstream and at 97 per cent capacity, but found no visible problems.

“Further inspections will be carried out at first light,” said the council.

Residents took to social media to describe the unusual quake experience.

The sound accompanying the earthquake was likened to a truck crash or bomb blast.

It was “the biggest friggin’ bang I ever heard” said one local on Facebook.

“House shaking…I thought a truck hit the house. Nope. Then a plane might have crashed. Nope. A bomb had hit the Garrison City — thank God nope.

“Scared the bejesus out of everyone. Move to Townsville they said!!”

One woman said it sounded like a plane crashing onto her roof.

“Or like a big bomb blast, or an asteroid landing in the ground,” she said.

“Oh my Lord, protect all the people in Townsville. Please no more aftershock.”