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Uncommon 3.3-magnitude earthquake shakes Northern England
A 3.3-magnitude earthquake shook communities in north-west England late Wednesday, according to the British Geological Survey (BGS).
The tremor occurred shortly after 11:23 p.m. local time and was felt across Lancashire and the southern Lake District, including the towns of Kendal and Ulverston, all within approximately 12 miles (19 km) of the epicenter.
BGS data indicated that the quake struck just off the coast of Silverdale, Lancashire, at an estimated depth of 1.86 miles (3 km). There were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage.
Emergency services reported a wave of calls from concerned residents. The Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service noted that "many residents felt or heard a loud bang" in the Carnforth area. Local police received similar reports describing what sounded like a "loud explosion."
Lancashire Police later confirmed a minor earthquake near the Lancashire–Cumbria border, measuring 3.3 magnitude, and said officers were coordinating with fire and ambulance crews to assess the situation.
The volunteer-run monitoring site Volcano Discovery recorded over 1,000 reports of people feeling the tremor, including some from as far away as Blackpool.
Earthquakes in the UK are relatively uncommon and typically very small. While hundreds of minor tremors are recorded annually, only a small number are strong enough to be felt by residents.
