The total cost of the damage was estimated at around £ 17 million ( 2017 : $ 578 million ) , but only £ 3 million ( 2017 : $ 104 million ) was paid out in insurance for 30,303 claims , covering around 22 % of the damaged buildings . Adelaide in 1954 was still subject to wartime rationing , and most damaged property was uninsured . The earthquake was the most destructive earthquake in recorded Australian history until 1989 , when it was eclipsed by the 5.6 Richter magnitude Newcastle earthquake , which caused $ 4 billion damage , killed 13 people , and injured 160
Newcastle earthquake
1989 Newcastle earthquake
1954 Adelaide earthquake