Residents of the Scottish Highlands experienced an unexpected jolt late on Tuesday night as a 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Inverness. The tremor, which occurred just before midnight, was felt across the region but caused no reported damage.
The British Geological Survey (BGS) confirmed the quake's epicentre was near the small village of Inchlaggan, approximately 30 miles southwest of Inverness. Seismologists recorded the quake at a depth of 10 kilometres beneath the Earth's surface.
What Residents Reported
Local accounts described the earthquake as:
- A sudden, sharp jolt lasting 2-3 seconds
- Windows and doors rattling noticeably
- Some reports of furniture shaking
"It was quite startling," said one Inverness resident. "The whole house shook for a moment - I thought a heavy lorry had hit the building at first."
Understanding UK Earthquakes
While earthquakes in Britain are typically mild compared to tectonic plate boundaries, the Scottish Highlands actually experience more seismic activity than most UK regions. This is due to:
- Ancient geological faults still releasing stress
- The region's position near the Great Glen Fault system
- Post-glacial rebound from the last Ice Age
The BGS records about 20-30 earthquakes in Scotland each year, though most are too weak to be felt. Tuesday's event was slightly stronger than average but still considered minor by global standards.
Historical Context
The last significant earthquake in the area occurred in 2018 when a 3.8 magnitude tremor was recorded near Loch Ness. The strongest known Scottish earthquake happened in 1880, estimated at 5.2 magnitude near Argyll.
Seismologists stress that while noticeable quakes can be unsettling, the UK's geological stability means damaging earthquakes remain extremely rare.
