Homes in north-west England shaken by earthquake

On Wednesday night, a 3.3-magnitude earthquake shook residences across north-west England, according to the British Geological Survey (BGS). The tremor occurred shortly after 23:23 and was felt widely in Lancashire and the southern Lake District, affecting towns including Kendal and Ulverston, located within 12 miles of the earthquakes epicentre.

Data indicates the quake struck just off the coast of Silverdale, Lancashire at a depth of 1.86 miles. No immediate damage was reported.

Residents described the sensation to the BGS as "like an underground explosion" and said it "shook the entire house." Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service noted that many locals in Carnforth, 18 miles north of Lancaster, reported hearing a loud bang. The local police also received calls describing what sounded like a "loud explosion."

The authorities confirmed a minor earthquake near the border of Lancashire and Cumbria measuring 3.3 in magnitude. They emphasized that there were no injuries or property damage and that officers, together with fire and ambulance services, were monitoring the area.

According to the Volcano Discovery website, more than 1,000 people submitted reports about feeling the earthquake, some from as far as Blackpool. Residents described dramatic experiences: one from Carnforth recounted hearing a rumble that escalated into a loud bang, making them fear their roof might collapse. Another in Silverdale reported loud rattling and movement of household fixtures, prompting them to step outside to investigate.

The BGS notes that the UK experiences approximately 300 earthquakes annually, though only around a tenth are perceptible to residents.

Author: Gavin Porter