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Earthquake hits much of England Earthquake hits much of England
(20 minutes later)
The biggest earthquake for nearly 20 years has been felt across large parts of England. The biggest earthquake for nearly 25 years has been felt across large parts of England.
People from as far afield as London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, East Anglia and Yorkshire felt the tremor.People from as far afield as London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, East Anglia and Yorkshire felt the tremor.
It struck at about 0100 GMT and lasted for nearly 10 seconds but it is unclear if it has caused any damage. It struck just before 0100 GMT and lasted for nearly 10 seconds but it is unclear if it has caused any damage.
The British Geological Survey said it believed the quake was of the magnitude of 5.1 and said the epicentre was close to Grimsby in north-east Lincolnshire. The British Geological Survey (BGS) said it believed the quake was of the magnitude of 5.3 and said the epicentre was in Market Rasen in Lincolnshire.
A spokesman said it was the biggest earthquake to hit England since 1990 and could be of a level to cause minor damage to buildings. Dr Brian Baptie of the BGS said it was of a level to cause minor damage to buildings.
The West Midlands was hit by an earthquake in 2002 in the Dudley area that reached a magnitude of 5.0 and caused damage to homes. "An earthquake of this size, of magnitude five or thereabouts, will occur roughly every ten to 20 years in the UK," he said.
And last year an earthquake measuring 4.3 hit Folkstone in Kent, causing widespread damage.
It was very strong, I felt the whole room moving David SomersetEast Yorkshire 'Biggest quake of my life'It was very strong, I felt the whole room moving David SomersetEast Yorkshire 'Biggest quake of my life'
Jemma Harrison, 22, in Bury, Greater Manchester, said: "It was really bad. I was fast asleep and woke up and the room was shaking and there was a loud bang and alarms were going off." Wednesday morning's earthquake was the biggest recorded example since one with a magnitude of 5.4 struck north Wales in 1984.
Dr Baptie said: "The largest earthquake that we know about that has struck the UK was about 100km off the east coast of England on the Dogger Bank and it had a magnitude of 6.1.
"So we can get these kind of moderate to significant earthquakes of this size but they're relatively rare."
The West Midlands was hit by an earthquake in 2002 in the Dudley area that reached a magnitude of 5.0 and one measuring 4.3 hit Folkstone in Kent last year.
People from across England contacted the BBC to described how their homes shook during the tremor.
QUAKES IN THE UK April 2007 - Folkstone, Kent (magnitude 4.3)December 2006 - Dumfries and Galloway (3.5)September 2002 - Dudley, West Midlands (5.0)October 2001 - Melton Mowbray (4.1)September 2000 - Warwick (4.2) April 1990 - Bishop's Castle, Shropshire (5.1) July 1984 - Nefyn, north Wales (5.4)June 1931 - in North Sea near Great Yarmouth (6.1) Jemma Harrison, 22, in Bury, Greater Manchester, said: "It was really bad. I was fast asleep and woke up and the room was shaking and there was a loud bang and alarms were going off."
Natasha Cavey, in Tipton in the West Midlands, said: "All my cupboard doors flew open and the whole house shook, it was unreal. I can't believe it."Natasha Cavey, in Tipton in the West Midlands, said: "All my cupboard doors flew open and the whole house shook, it was unreal. I can't believe it."
David in Alrewas in Staffordshire said: "The birds were flying around like it was daylight.
"It was quite severe. I experienced the Dudley one and this was more severe. I went outside to see if the roof had collapsed. I could see the furniture in the room moving, it was like it was on a jelly mould."
David Somerset, 41, from Driffield near Beverley in East Yorkshire, said: "I have never felt one as strong as that one before. I was in my sitting room and the grandfather clock was rattling rather violently.David Somerset, 41, from Driffield near Beverley in East Yorkshire, said: "I have never felt one as strong as that one before. I was in my sitting room and the grandfather clock was rattling rather violently.
"It was very strong, I felt the whole room moving.""It was very strong, I felt the whole room moving."
Did you feel the tremor where you live? Send us your comments using the form below.Did you feel the tremor where you live? Send us your comments using the form below.
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