North Wales quake 'nothing unusual'

Bennett Simpson, an expert working at the British Geological Survey (BGS), confirmed that an earthquake measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale had been recorded around the Colwyn Bay area of North Wales at 6.44pm on Monday (14 February).

However, despite the tremors being reported to local police by several members of the public, the event was "highly unlikely" to have caused any damage, Mr Simpson told us.

He added that around 200 earthquakes were recorded in the British Isles each year, with around three of these being similar in magnitude, that is over 3.0 on the Richter scale, to the North Wales quake. As such, the event was "nothing unusual" he told us.

Inspector Jason Higgins, of North Wales Police, said the tremor had been felt 40 miles inland and along a 10 mile stretch of coast.

"It affected areas both on the coast and inland," he said. "People heard a loud bang and some movement and shaking of buildings. We have no reports of any damage, nor any injuries," he added.

'Room shuddered'

Part time barman Andrew Roberts, 18, of Bangor, was working at the local Ship Inn pub when he felt the earthquake. "I was just standing at the bar when I felt it," he said. "At first I had no idea what was happening.

"It lasted for around three to four seconds and the entire bar just shook. I could hear the glasses rattling on the bar top and all the trays were moving. I would have run but I was just too shocked. By the time I thought of moving, it was all over."

Malcolm Hartley, 57, who was staying at a nearby hotel, told how furniture in his room shuddered.

He said: "I was in my bedroom at the time and all of a sudden the wardrobe and fittings began to rattle. It started banging against the radiator and making a hell of a noise, but nothing was broken.''

Largest quakes

An earthquake which took place on the 7 June 1931, with an epicentre offshore in the North Sea, was the UK's largest known earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale. Damage in Britain was reported from 71 different places, with the strongest effects at Filey.

Bridlington, Beverley and Hull were also affected, and factory roof was reported to have collapsed at Staines (Surrey).

The largest recorded onshore earthquake was more recent, occurring on 19 July 1984, at Lleyn, North Wales, with a magnitude of 5.4.

Bennett Simpson told us that a major seismic event resulting in widespread damage in Britain was "extremely unlikely ".

However, the BGS warned that the risk from the UK frequent minor tremors was "not insignificant and must be considered when engineering for sensitive installations."