April 28, 2007

scientists comment on an earthquake in Kent

The town of Folkestone was worst hit by the tremor which measured between 4.3 and 4.7 on the Richter scale.

Brian Baptie, British Geological Survey, said:

“The British Geological Survey recorded a magnitude of 4.3 ML earthquake in the Dover Straits at 0719 UTC (08:19 BST) on 28 April 2007. The epicentre is approximately 14 km South of Dover in the Dover Straits. Reports suggest that the earthquake has been felt widely across southeast England, causing minor damage to masonry and roofing. Loss of power has also been reported. This is the largest earthquake in this region since a magnitude 4.4 ML earthquake in 1950. Significant earthquakes also struck the Dover Straits in 1776 and 1580, the latter had an approximate magnitude of 5.7 ML and reportedly caused damage in London. Earthquakes of this size occur in mainland UK roughly every 7-8 years although are more common in offshore areas.A magnitude 4.7 ML earthquake struck Dudley, West Midlands in 2002 and was widely felt across England and Wales.”

Professor Bill McGuire, Director, Benfield UCL Hazard Research Centre, said:

“Damaging earthquakes are rare but not unknown in the UK, and the Kent region is one of those areas that has experienced them before. Two big quakes shook the Dover Straits in 1382 and 1580, reportedly causing widespread damage in adjacent areas of England and France. Nor is the Kent quake the largest to affect the UK in recent times, with the 1931 Dogger Bank earthquake – felt across much of the UK, as well as in France and Belgium – achieving a Richter Magnitude of 6.1.”