Residents in northern England were startled late Wednesday night as an earthquake struck the region, causing homes to shake and waking people from their sleep. The British Geological Survey (BGS) confirmed that a tremor measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale hit shortly after 11:23pm on December 3.
According to the BGS, the earthquake affected much of Lancashire and the southern part of the Lake District. The quake’s epicentre was located just off the coast of Silverdale, Lancashire, making nearby towns such as Kendal and Ulverston—approximately 12 miles (19km) away—among the places where it was most strongly felt.
The tremor occurred at a depth of approximately 1.86 miles below the surface, based on the latest geological data. Despite the noticeable shaking, there have been no reports of structural damage or injuries.
Residents took to social media overnight to describe their experiences, with many expressing surprise at the strength of the brief quake. Experts note that while earthquakes of this magnitude are uncommon in the UK, they are not unprecedented.
Authorities and seismic monitoring agencies will continue to review the recorded data, but as of now, no further action or alerts have been issued.
