EARTHQUAKE!!!!

[Filonian]

Never felt a thing - must have been the malt.

Must have been real scary Nigel.

Graham

[Pringle]

Felt it in Birmingham. My fiancée woke up with me and she was the one that clicked what had happened. Last time it happened I was living with my parents and the shock was in Dudley. At that point my parents dog and parrot where going mad about 5 minutes before. Be interesting to see if the same happened last night.

For some reason I was convinced we were going to have a huge quake after that tremor last night and then couldn't get back to sleep... :@

[ravilamir]

Hi!

I hope everyone is OK!
I didn't felt a thing in London, but that's probably because I've got used to those phenomena. Lived in a high risk zone for over 20 years and got my fair share of them. This one doesn't seem to have been bigger than a rumble, as no one seems to be injured or dead.
I've gone through some earthquakes that unfortunately loss of life has occurred, like the 1980 New years day in the Azores. It brought down all older houses in 3 islands and there were some casualties. Fortunately it was at 3.00pm, which was better than the one which woke me up at 5.20am! Sadly, some older folks didn't managed to get out of their houses in time. :-(
See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ciEzANHcxE

Best regards!
Ricardo d'Avila e Miranda
London

[Paul K]

I was at the computer after a very late shift, so was wide awake for it. A bit scarey I must say.

[basys]

Hi Folks

Whether or not you felt this event,
would everyone please assist the British Geological Survey (BGS)
by filling in a quick questionaire relating to this event - BGS Survey

Many thanks
ATB
Paul

[airboatr]

-

[Nigel H-J]

Just got up and listened on the news, according to an expert this is the first time that an earthquake has hit Lincolnshire since the 1800s', Market Rasen is only 18 miles from us by road, in a straight line, much less.

Since I have now regained my composure (As James Bond would say, shaken, not stirred) the reports say that it was a 5.7 magnitude (Just love all this technical jargon) I cannot imagine how awful it must be for those that have suffered far worse earthquakes.

Just goes to show how powerful and destructive nature can be.

Hi Joe, it is the largest for 25 years.

Nigel.

[Quixoticish]

Really brings things into perspective. I must admit when it was happening and I figured out what it was I thought it was relatively great fun, being in the UK I imagine this is one of the strongest I'll probably ever feel in my lifetime but it does make you think about those who have lived through far stronger earthquakes and it is easy to see how so much damage occurs. After a bit of googling it also brings to mind that a 5.0 quake gives off a whopping 134.4 TJ of energy and the seismic energy yield is about 32 kilotons. With such a massive amount of energy release it's easy to understand why it was felt so far and wide.

Just had a phone call from the parents as well, apparently the Scottish news is focusing on the fact that someone felt it (albeit it very gently) in Dumfries (allegedly), what's the betting Scotland has a bigger earthquake tomorrow?

[nigelb]

I certainly hope everyone is OK and the property damage is minimal. Had one of those a few years back here in Virginia, which is fairly rare, and I did not feel anything - only knew it happened because of the news. I am sure anyone living on the US left coast has experienced plenty of them.

[Chris558]

Here in SE Oxfordshire, I was lying in bed when I heard the house or rafters creeking, culminating in a single gentle movement which felt more like a wave, rather than a jolt. It lasted for about 5 seconds. Nothing displaced or damaged.

Interesting experience, but in hindsight, I would like to have experienced it a bit longer, as I find it fascinating!!......

I have duly filled in the BGS questionaire.