Earthquake tremors felt in Warwickshire
An earthquake tremor was felt widely in Warwickshire just before 1am this morning, and initial reports from the British Geological Survey indicate it had a magnitude of 5.2 on the Richter Scale.
The epicentre of the earthquake was near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. The earthquake was quite powerful by British standards and is possibly the strongest since 1984. The British Geological Survey has reported minor damage to chimneys close to the epicentre.
Dr Jon Radley, Warwickshire County Council’s Keeper of Geology, says this is one of three moderately powerful earthquakes to have been felt in Warwickshire since the Millennium.
He stressed there is nothing to suggest that this is the beginning of a trend, with hundreds of minor ‘quakes recorded in Britain every year.
Dr Radley said it seems likely that like the 2000 Warwick Earthquake, last night’s event was caused by minor movement along a deeply buried ancient fault line.
Geological maps show that many ancient fault lines cross the country and several are known to traverse Warwickshire. These British ‘quakes, though mild by global standards are very interesting to geologists and serve as a reminder of the Earth’s enormous power.
Warwickshire Museum has a small display dedicated to the 2000 Warwick Earthquake, and holds an archive of historic local earthquake records.
Dr Jon Radley said: “This is a very exciting geological event, similar in its origin and magnitude to the 2000 and 2001 earthquakes that were felt in Warwickshire. British Earthquakes tend to be fairly mild by international standards, but provide fascinating insight into the geological structures deep beneath our towns and villages.”