Residents across parts of north-west England experienced a startling tremor late on Wednesday night as a minor earthquake struck the region. The British Geological Survey (BGS) confirmed the seismic event, which registered a magnitude of 3.3.
Tremor Felt Across the North West
The earthquake occurred at 11:23 pm and was centred just off the coast of Silverdale, Lancashire. Data from the BGS indicates it originated at a shallow depth of approximately 1.86 miles (3 kilometres). The effects were felt across a localised area, encompassing parts of Lancashire and the southern Lake District.
Reports from the public confirmed the tremor was noticeable in towns including Kendal and Ulverston, which lie within a 12-mile radius of the epicentre. Residents described the sensation to the BGS, with some saying it “felt like an underground explosion” and was “so powerful it shook the whole house”.
Public Response and UK Seismic Activity
The event prompted a significant number of people to report their experiences. The Volcano Discovery website, which collates earthquake reports from the public, received more than 1,100 submissions from individuals in the area at the time. The majority of these described the shaking as “light” or “weak”.
This incident serves as a reminder that the UK experiences regular, though usually minor, seismic activity. Each year, the BGS detects between 200 and 300 earthquakes across the country. However, only a fraction – typically 20 to 30 – are strong enough to be felt by the population. The vast majority are recorded only by sensitive instruments and cause no damage.
Context of Recent UK Tremors
The most recent comparable event in the UK occurred on 20 October, when an earthquake measuring slightly above 3.3 magnitude was felt in parts of Perth and Kinross in Scotland. That tremor struck at 7.25am with its epicentre near Pubil, in the Glen Lyon region.
While unsettling for those who feel them, earthquakes of this scale in the British Isles rarely result in structural damage. The British Geological Survey continues to monitor all seismic activity, providing vital data and reassurance to the public.
