Brits wake up to 'ground shaking' as 2.5 earthquake hits two UK towns

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Brits were woken by a massive earthquake which made the "ground shake" in the early hours of this morning.

A 2.5 magnitude earthquake was felt in two towns at around 1.42am, with some residents describing how it "shook" their bedside tables. Others said the sudden tremor "petrified" them and their pets.

David Galloway, a seismologist at British Geological Survey (BGS) said: "At 2:42om on 19 April 2024 an earthquake, with a magnitude of 2.5 ML and a focal depth of around 7 km, occurred around 5km from Belper, Derbyshire. We (BGS) received a few reports, via online macroseismic questionnaires, of the earthquake being felt in Matlock and Derby (Derbyshire) and in Belton (Leicestershire).

"The reports described "felt a weak trembling" and "heard a moderate rumbling sound". This is the largest event detected in the area, within 50 km, since a similar magnitude 2.5 ML earthquake occurred near Buxton, Derbyshire on 2 January 2024, which was felt in Buxton, Dove Holes and King Sterndale.

"Historically, larger earthquakes have been known to occur in the area, the largest being the magnitude 5.3 ML Derby earthquake which occurred on 11 February 1957 and caused widespread damage to chimneys and roofs in the Derby, Nottingham and Loughborough areas and was felt over the whole of the English Midlands."

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One resident said of this morning's incident: "I thought it was another low-flying plane, it was quite a rumble whatever it was." Another added: "Yes, I [heard it] too! I didn't hear anything outside but some items rattled on my bedside table."

Some residents were pleased to have missed the quake, with one local adding: "Wow, I slept right through it which is unusual for me. I was in an earthquake in Brum about 20 years ago and that was 4.5 mag. It seemed to go on forever and it petrified me and the cat, so I'm glad I missed it."

A statement from Volcano Discovery, added: "Most reports came from Matlock (three reports), 15.6 km north of the epicentre, which was around Belper. Wirksworth residents also described feeling a "rumble" during the night."

Earlier this year A 1.5 magnitude quake was recorded in Snowdonia. The tremor was described as having a "roar like a strong wind" by one local resident, while others said it was "just a rumble for a few seconds".

One person reported their open wardrobe door "moved" during the quake, which struck at around 12.48am in February. The British Geological Survey (BGS) said the epicentre was 12km (7.5 miles) below ground near Foel Grach in the Carneddau mountains.

The effects were also reported in towns and villages around 15 miles from the quake, including Tregarth, Llanberis, Cym-Y-Glo, Talysarn, Rhostryfan in Gwynedd, and Pentraeth on Anglesey.