Magnitude 4.4 earthquake hits UK

Blackleaf

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A minor earthquake with a 4.4 magnitude has affected parts of Wales and England.

The quake was felt over all of Wales, most of western England, as far east as London and as far north as the southern edge of the Lake District, the British Geological Survey (BGS) said.

The epicentre was approximately 20km north-north-east of Swansea and at a depth of 7.4km, it added.

There have been no reports of serious damage or injuries.

Earthquake felt across much of England and Wales


17 February 2018
BBC News


A seismometer shows the earth's movements on Saturday afternoon

A minor earthquake with a 4.4 magnitude has affected parts of Wales and England.

The quake was felt over all of Wales, most of western England, as far east as London and as far north as the southern edge of the Lake District, the British Geological Survey (BGS) said.

The epicentre was approximately 20km north-north-east of Swansea and at a depth of 7.4km, it added.

There have been no reports of serious damage or injuries.

Events of this magnitude happen in the UK every three to five years, the BGS said.

Roger Musson, from the BGS, said it was the largest earthquake in mainland Britain for the last 10 years - since one with a magnitude of 5.2 struck in February 2008 in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire.

He said it was "relatively shallow" for a larger British earthquake. They are usually around 15-20km deep.

Dyfed Powys Police force said it had received "an extremely high volume" of calls relating to tremors.

South Wales Police urged the public to avoid calling the emergency services unless it was to report damage or injuries.

SW Police Cardiff ✔
@swpcardiff

There has been a minor earthquake throughout South Wales....no need for you to contact the Emergency Services unless you have something to report ie:- injuries or damage. Hope this sets you minds at rest SWP

2:50 PM - Feb 17, 2018

112 Likes 97 people are talking about this

The tremors caused play to be held up at a Welsh Football League match at Port Talbot, 10 miles from Swansea, as the town's team faced Taff's Well.

A tweet from Port Talbot's Twitter account said: "Temporary stop in play. A recorded earthquake in the area. Incredible."

Mark Pitman
@markpitman1


The earth moved at @PortTalbotTown this afternoon with a 2-1 win over @Taffswellfc in the Welsh League. A late red card for player-manager Cortez Belle


4:16 PM - Feb 17, 2018

14 Likes See Mark Pitman's other Tweets

Steven Clathworthy, who lives near Bridgend, south Wales, said he heard a bang and the settee moved.

"All the neighbours were out asking 'what's happening?'" he said.



Bryan Jones, 72, of Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taff, said: "It was like a tremor but it was quite frightening for my granddaughter - she swore a little bit and my wife got up asking 'What was that?'"

'The walls cracked'

Vera Sanderberg, from Croyde in north Devon, said she felt her house shake.

"The neighbour's horses bolted," she said.

"It was just a split second. We can't see anything damaged."

In Cheltenham, Paul Samway said it felt like "a washing machine breaking down".

"We heard the walls crack and there was a bit of juddering," he added.

"We thought nothing of it until we saw reports from other people on social media."


The epicentre was approximately 20km north-north-east of Swansea in South Wales

Louise Craig, from Connah's Quay in north Wales, said it was "the most excitement I've had on a Saturday afternoon for a while".

"I get a lot of fat wood pigeons jumping up and down on my chimney and I first of all thought the noise was them but they must have put on a heck a lot of weight to make the house shake," she told the BBC.

Donna Johnson in Caerphilly said she was "really scared".

"The house started rocking, and I said, 'oh my god the house is falling down'. We have a bungalow, and there is risk of subsidence here," she told the BBC.

"I ran outside - I was shaking like a leaf... The cat went outside before me, so she must have known."

Sue Field in Shifnal, Shropshire, said she felt the tremors from her armchair.

"I thought I'd had one too many wines for my birthday lunch," she said.

Elliot Wood
@Wood485

Well this confirms it! 4.4 magnitude earthquake and we felt it during a talk on continental rifting up in Liverpool. What a place to feel it... in a room full of geologists! It’s like being around children at Christmas
https://twitter.com/britgeosurvey/status/964881159372070913 …


3:29 PM - Feb 17, 2018 · Liverpool, England

207 Likes 72 people are talking about this


Claire
@HistoryLady82

Did anyone else feel the earth move about 5 mins ago? Definitely a tremor here in Liverpool. I’m in a flat and it made a weird noise and moved from side to side for about ten seconds. #earthquake #tremor

2:41 PM - Feb 17, 2018 · Liverpool, England

33 Likes 33 people are talking about this




EMSC ✔
@LastQuake

Latest update of the effects of the #earthquake in #Swansea region. Was felt up to 300 km from epicentre

3:45 PM - Feb 17, 2018

131 Likes 200 people are talking about this

Earthquake felt across much of England and Wales - BBC News
 

Blackleaf

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Is that sheep using the missionary position?

No. It's just been bowled over by the earthquake.

In Yorkshire, when a sheep falls over onto its back and is unable to get up without help it is said to be "riggwelted" - from the Norse "rygg”, meaning "back", and “velte”, meaning "to overturn."

Last night, whilst watching the first episode of the new BBC historical drama series set in ancient Troy, I enjoyed a bottle of Riggwelter beer:

 

Curious Cdn

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No. It's just been bowled over by the earthquake.

In Yorkshire, when a sheep falls over onto its back and is unable to get up it is said to be "riggwelted" - from the Norse "rygg”, meaning "back", and “velte”, meaning "to overturn."

Last night, whilst watching the first episode of the new BBC historical drama series set in ancient Troy, I enjoyed a bottle of Riggwelter beer:


Is it true that they herd sheep by holding up bottles of mint sauce?
 

Curious Cdn

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Feb 22, 2015
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The BBC's One Man and His Dog is a good show.

It's a very British programme featuring sheepdog trials. It's like a televised sporting competition. It's aired now for 42 years.


I have watched sheep dog competitions in Carleton Place, Ontario.
 

Blackleaf

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I have watched sheep dog competitions in Carleton Place, Ontario.

It's becoming more like football now. When you watch One Man and His Dog nowadays the man often abuses the referee and dives when there's nobody near him to try and win a penalty.

UK reacts to a very British earthquake:



Ross Hornby
@djh3max

Replying to @The_T

Erm yes, these fell off the top of my fridge 😵

2:37 PM - Feb 17, 2018
515 Likes 53 people are talking about this


"Millions of pounds of improvements caused in Wales after earthquake strikes," reads one popular online joke.

"Quick, check the biscuits!" one popular Twitter account, @VeryBritishProblems, wrote.

Others spoke of their regret on missing the event.

"Most exciting thing to happen in Ystrad, Wales for years and I missed it by a day and a half," wrote Chris Miller on Facebook.

"First time I've spoken to half my neighbours in about five years so that was nice," Bowen Lloyd revealed on Twitter.

Meanwhile, countries who regularly experience deadly earthquakes sent their condolences.

"Thoughts and prayers from the US," @LyricsPlays wrote.

"4.4? Oh that's normal here in Costa Rica, Central America. All the best UK," wrote @RicardoVargasfi.

Britain reacts to an 'underwhelming' earthquake - BBC News