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Earthquake shakes parts of Kent | Earthquake shakes parts of Kent |
(10 minutes later) | |
An earthquake with a magnitude of at least 4.3 has shaken buildings in parts of Kent. | |
The fire service said it had received calls from people in Folkestone and nearby areas reporting large cracks in house walls and chimneys falling down. | The fire service said it had received calls from people in Folkestone and nearby areas reporting large cracks in house walls and chimneys falling down. |
The tremor at 0818 BST, which lasted a few seconds, was felt as far afield as Essex, East Sussex and Suffolk. | The tremor at 0818 BST, which lasted a few seconds, was felt as far afield as Essex, East Sussex and Suffolk. |
The British Geological Survey said it was the largest British earthquake since the one which hit Dudley in 2002. | The British Geological Survey said it was the largest British earthquake since the one which hit Dudley in 2002. |
EDF Energy said several thousand homes are now without power in the Folkestone and Dover area. | EDF Energy said several thousand homes are now without power in the Folkestone and Dover area. |
Randy Baldwin from the US Geological Survey, which monitors earthquakes, said the tremor had a preliminary magnitude of 4.7. | |
He added that the epicentre of the tremor was measured as being located 15 miles (25km) south of Canterbury and had a depth of 6.2 miles (10km). | He added that the epicentre of the tremor was measured as being located 15 miles (25km) south of Canterbury and had a depth of 6.2 miles (10km). |
Significant tremor | Significant tremor |
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre's website said a tremor of 5.0 magnitude had been recorded at around 4.3 miles (7 km) south east of Ashford. | The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre's website said a tremor of 5.0 magnitude had been recorded at around 4.3 miles (7 km) south east of Ashford. |
David Booth of the British Geological Survey said the tremor was of a sizeable magnitude. | David Booth of the British Geological Survey said the tremor was of a sizeable magnitude. |
"It's certainly the largest in the UK since an earthquake in Dudley in the West Midlands in 2002 and that also caused damage. So this is a very significant tremor." | "It's certainly the largest in the UK since an earthquake in Dudley in the West Midlands in 2002 and that also caused damage. So this is a very significant tremor." |
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it had received more than a 100 emergency calls and was having to deal with "several incidents". | Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it had received more than a 100 emergency calls and was having to deal with "several incidents". |
Most of these were reports of structural damage, but a fire engine had also been sent to Folkestone to investigate a "smell of gas". | Most of these were reports of structural damage, but a fire engine had also been sent to Folkestone to investigate a "smell of gas". |
EDF said it had despatched engineers but currently had no timetable for when power might be restored. | EDF said it had despatched engineers but currently had no timetable for when power might be restored. |
A Eurostar spokesman said everything was "running normally" on the Channel Tunnel. | A Eurostar spokesman said everything was "running normally" on the Channel Tunnel. |
Violent shaking | Violent shaking |
Sharon Hayles, from Stanford near the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone, said her house slid from side to side for about 10 to 15 seconds. | Sharon Hayles, from Stanford near the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone, said her house slid from side to side for about 10 to 15 seconds. |
Another Folkestone man told BBC Five Live Breakfast that his whole house "shook quite violently". | Another Folkestone man told BBC Five Live Breakfast that his whole house "shook quite violently". |
Eyewitness Lorraine Muir said: "We've been evacuated by the Sally Army; we've got no gas or electricity." | Eyewitness Lorraine Muir said: "We've been evacuated by the Sally Army; we've got no gas or electricity." |
Paul Smye-Rumsby, who lives in Dover, said: "It was about 08.15 when suddenly the bed shook violently. | Paul Smye-Rumsby, who lives in Dover, said: "It was about 08.15 when suddenly the bed shook violently. |
"I thought my wife had got cramp or something but then I saw the curtains were moving and the whole house was shaking. It lasted about 1.5 seconds. | "I thought my wife had got cramp or something but then I saw the curtains were moving and the whole house was shaking. It lasted about 1.5 seconds. |
"All the power is off and we have got the portable radio on. People are standing outside talking to each other about it." | "All the power is off and we have got the portable radio on. People are standing outside talking to each other about it." |
Are you in the area? Have you witnessed any of the damage caused by the tremor? Send us your experiences using the form below. | Are you in the area? Have you witnessed any of the damage caused by the tremor? Send us your experiences using the form below. |
href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6214&edition=1&ttl=20070428102231">Send us your comments and experiences | |
You can send also your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | |
When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |