Devon shakes as UK hit by biggest earthquake in ten years
It said the tremor had a 4.4 magnitude and originated about 12.4 miles north of Swansea, in Wales
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The ground shook across Britain today as it was struck by the biggest earthquake in ten years.
Across Devon residents felt the ground move just after 2:30pm, with reports of walls shacking as the quake reached the region.
It said the tremor had a 4.4 magnitude and originated about 12.4 miles north of Swansea, in Wales.
The earthquake was felt by as many as 10 million Brits and as far away as 200 miles from the epicentre in Cwmllynfell.
Dyfed Powys Police force said it had received "an extremely high volume" of calls relating to tremors.
Meanwhile South Wales Police urged the public to avoid calling the emergency services unless it was to report damage or injuries.
The Southwest was one of the areas that felt it the most but it was also reported in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.
A spokesperson for the British Geological Survey said:
"This is the largest earthquake in mainland UK since the 5.2 magnitude Market Rasen earthquake in 2008."
More than 1,000 reports were reported to EMSC, an independent scientific organisation based in Paris.
At around 2.30pm on Saturday social media went wild after they felt the earth shake.
DevonLive was inundated with reports from across the county.
Sally Garton, of Ivybridge, said: “I definitely felt the chair I was sitting on and walls tremble at 2.42pm. It must be horrid to experience a large quake. I text son who lives five miles away and he experienced nothing.”
According to the independent scientific organisation EMSC this is where the earthquake has been felt.
Kerri Dyer, of Plymouth, said: “I felt a shock wave here. The sofa I was sat on vibrated, I thought u was going mad but obviously not.”
Amber Rowe, of Exeter, said: “ I felt the ‘earthquake’ on my top floor flat. The whole floor and my bed was shaking, scary stuff.”
Jess Fisher, who is staying in Croyde, said: “We felt the earthquake. It shook our caravan for about five seconds.”
Fiona Taylor , of Exmouth, said: “We felt an earthquake at around 2.35pm.”
Jaime Walker said: “I felt an earthquake in Loddiswell.”
Devon residents have spoken of their shock at feeling a strange “rumbling” this afternoon which has been confirmed as being an earthquake.
A 4.4 magnitude earthquake hit Wales, with the epicentre in Swansea, and has been felt from Cornwall all the way up to Liverpool
It is the biggest earthquake to hit the UK in 10 years after a 5.2 quake was recorded in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire on February 27, 2008.
The British Geological Survey said that the earthquake measured 4.4 on the Richter scale at a depth of 7.4km, with the epicentre 20km away from Swansea.They added that events of this magnitude only ever happen every two to three years in the UK.
More than 1,000 reports were reported to EMSC, an independent scientific organisation based in Paris.
At around 2.30pm on Saturday social media went wild after they felt the earth shake.According to EMSC, it measured 4.7 on the Richter scale, at a depth of 10km.
DevonLive has received many reports from those who experienced the earthquake.
Jo Galbraiths said: “I live on the edge of Exmoor in a village called Bratton Fleming and felt it this afternoon. It was a rumbling for about 20 seconds. It definitely felt weird.”Sally Garton, of Ivybridge, said: “I definitely felt the chair I was sitting on and walls tremble at 2.42pm. It must be horrid to experience a large quake. I text son who lives five miles away and he experienced nothingKerri Dyer, of Plymouth, said: “I felt a shock wave here. The sofa I was sat on vibrated, I thought u was going mad but obviously not.”
Amber Rowe, of Exeter, said: “ I felt the ‘earthquake’ on my top floor flat. The whole floor and my bed was shaking, scary stuff.”
Jess Fisher, who is staying in Croyde, said: “We felt the earthquake. It shook our caravan for about five seconds.”
Fiona Taylor , of Exmouth, said: “We felt an earthquake at around 2.35pm.”
Jaime Walker said: “I felt an earthquake in LoddiswellMarian Pile, of Goodleigh, near Barnstaple, said: “I was sat on the sofa when it started to shake. It was really scary.”
Graham Kent, of Axminster, said: "I definitely felt the house move here; a feeling of slight rise and fall; no signs of damage so far."
No one was available from the British Geological Survey for a comment
