Largest Quake for Nearly 300 Years Hits English Channel

Earthquake Hits Britain: Buildings Shook

July 14, 2011

Guardian - The earthquake struck in the middle of the Channel and was felt by some residents in West Sussex.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.9 has struck in the middle of the Channel. Residents in parts of West Sussex reported buildings shaking for a few seconds at around 8am on Thursday.

The British Geological Survey said the quake had a depth of 10km and its epicentre was south of Portsmouth, Hampshire. Official measurements showed it happened at 7.59am BST.

Sussex police, the Solent coastguard and West Sussex fire and rescue service said they had not been called out to any incidents related to the quake.

David Kerridge, from the British Geological Survey, said the earthquake was the largest in the area since a magnitude 4.5 quake in 1734.

"Historically, there have been two other significant events nearby – a magnitude 5.0 earthquake in 1878 and a magnitude 4.3 earthquake in 1750," he said.

"In the UK, we experience an earthquake of this magnitude approximately every two years."

Several residents in Worthing, West Sussex, are reported to have felt the earthquake. The British Geological Survey is running an online questionnaire to collect information from members of the public.

Largest Quake Since 1734 Hits English Channel

July 14, 2011

BBC News - An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.9 has struck in the English Channel, the British Geological Survey (BGS) said. The quake had a depth of 10km and its epicentre was south of Portsmouth, according to the BGS.

Residents in parts of West Sussex reported buildings shaking for a few seconds at about 0800 BST.

Sussex Police, Solent Coastguard and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said they had not been called out to any incidents related to it.

'Largest since 1734'

David Kerridge, from the BGS, said it was the biggest incident of its kind in the area for nearly 300 years. He said:

"This is the largest earthquake in this area since a magnitude 4.5 event in 1734.

"Historically, there have been two other significant events nearby - a magnitude 5.0 earthquake in 1878 and a magnitude 4.3 earthquake in 1750.

"In the UK, we experience a earthquake of this magnitude approximately every two years."

Small earthquakes are not uncommon in the British Isles.

In January a 3.6-magnitude quake struck 9km (5.5 miles) north-west of Ripon, North Yorkshire.