People across many parts of Wales have told of their alarm after being shaken by the UK's biggest earthquake for almost a quarter of a century.
People across many parts of Wales have told of their alarm after being shaken by the UK's biggest earthquake for almost a quarter of a century.
The 10-second tremor just before 0100 GMT was felt in north, mid and south Wales, although its epicentre was in Lincolnshire on England's east coast.
The 10-second tremor just before 0100 GMT was felt in north, mid and south Wales, although its epicentre was in Lincolnshire on England's east coast.
The quake had a 5.3 magnitude, which the British Geological Survey described as significant.
The quake had a 5.3 magnitude, which the British Geological Survey described as significant.
It was the biggest since a tremor with a 5.4 magnitude in north Wales in 1984.
It was the biggest since a tremor with a 5.4 magnitude in north Wales in 1984.
The tremor was also felt in large parts of England, including Newcastle, Yorkshire, London, Manchester, the Midlands and Norfolk.
The tremor was also felt in large parts of England, including Newcastle, Yorkshire, London, Manchester, the Midlands and Norfolk.
Staff at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said they had felt the earthquake in their headquarters in Rhyl.
Staff at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said they had felt the earthquake in their headquarters in Rhyl.
The service took calls from people asking what had happened but were not called to any related incidents.
The service took calls from people asking what had happened but were not called to any related incidents.
The tremor was also felt by officers in the North Wales Police headquarters.
The tremor was also felt by officers in the North Wales Police headquarters.
'Sustained rumble'
'Sustained rumble'
Sian Fairlie, of Deeside, e-mailed BBC Wales to say the tremors were "rather scary".
Sian Fairlie, of Deeside, e-mailed BBC Wales to say the tremors were "rather scary".
She wrote: "At approx 0058 my partner and I felt a definite tremor which lasted 10-12 seconds, strongest felt since I was a child.
She wrote: "At approx 0058 my partner and I felt a definite tremor which lasted 10-12 seconds, strongest felt since I was a child.
"I was lying on the sofa and felt as if it was swaying, it certainly was enough to make me feel queasy! Also two loud bangs were heard, one during and one just as it ended."
"I was lying on the sofa and felt as if it was swaying, it certainly was enough to make me feel queasy! Also two loud bangs were heard, one during and one just as it ended."
In Rhiwbina, Cardiff, a loud noise woke Andy and Janice Matthews at exactly the same time.
Mrs Matthews said: "We've got fitted wardrobes attached to the wall. There was just a loud rattling noise of the coat hangers. At first, I thought it was a bird on the aerial, it was a twanging noise.
"I looked at the clock and it was exactly 0100 GMT. We checked the kids were ok and just went back to sleep."
Sarah Roberts, of Ruthin, Denbighshire, e-mailed to report that she and her partner had been aware that the house very obviously shook.
Sarah Roberts, of Ruthin, Denbighshire, e-mailed to report that she and her partner had been aware that the house very obviously shook.
She said: "Having settled our daughter to bed at 0030, we were both drifting off to sleep when there was an odd noise then a strong 'tremor'.
She said: "Having settled our daughter to bed at 0030, we were both drifting off to sleep when there was an odd noise then a strong 'tremor'.
"There was a rumbling noise and it just felt like the whole room shook.
"There was a rumbling noise and it just felt like the whole room shook.
"I was pretty sure. I remember the quake of '84. I was only 10 then."
"I was pretty sure. I remember the quake of '84. I was only 10 then."
'Scared'
Joshua Clare, who also lives in Ruthin, said: "I felt a definite sustained rumble and it was strong enough to rattle pictures on the walls."
Joshua Clare, who also lives in Ruthin, said: "I felt a definite sustained rumble and it was strong enough to rattle pictures on the walls."
Tommy Lee in Kinmel Bay said he felt the tremor as well.
From Wrexham, Jo Settle, said: "I woke to the noise of the wardrobe doors clattering and then realised the bed was shaking.
"This morning I discovered a tile hanging down the side of the house!
Alan Downes, of Holywell, said: "I was sat on my sofa listening to music, with laptop on my knee.
"I didn't hear anything (as I had headphones on) but I felt the sofa moving and thought someone was behind the sofa, or climbing out from under it! Scared the living daylights out of me."
Robert Shopland emailed from Tonypandy, Rhondda. He wrote: "It woke me up, at first I thought I was dreaming, the bed was shaking and it lasted for several seconds.
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.
I was sat on my sofa listening to music, with laptop on my knee. I didn't hear anything (as I had headphones on) but I felt the sofa moving and thought someone was behind the sofa, or climbing out from under it! Scared the living daylights out of me.Alan Downes, holywell, wales
I was woken up at around 1:00 and thought somebody was shaking the bed. It didn't feel real and i thought i was imagining it at first.Chris Hoyle, Rhyl
The bed shook, the garage door rattled, the house moved slightly. Felt like earthquakes I've experienced in Japan, where I was often woken by a small quake in the night. Interestingly, the cat was in a state of high alert moments before, as if another cat had marched into his territory. I could hear the birds on Brymbo Pool.Susan, Brymbo, Wrexham, UK
i live along side a railway line and at first thought it was a large number of trucks passing. The bed and walls shook.ruth daniles, rhyl clwyd
Two of my teenage children were both woken up in the night. One by a strong jolt, and the other by his bed vibrating as if an express train was passing. It lasted for about 10 seconds. An unnerving experience for them, but my wife and I slept through it all.John, Mynydd Isa, North Wales
well i was about to fall asleep and i felt something and it was wierd, i didnt know what to do so i just let it pass till this morning when i got told it was an earth quake.stephanie, mold (north wales)
