Second earthquake recorded this year in Northamptonshire

Seismologists have detected the second earthquake in Northamptonshire in just over two months.

But the 2.2 magnitude tremor near Brackley was hardly enough to disturb the peace and quiet of the lockdown.

British Geological Survey scientists picked up the quake approximately a mile south-east of the town, on farmland between Evenley and Westbury, at 4.28 this afternoon (Saturday April 4).

It follows another 2.2 magnitude quake in Northampton back in January this year -- the first ever to hit the town.

Kettering had a 1.0 magnitude ‘shock’ in October 2018 while scientists picked up a 1.9 quake near Corby in 1997.

But more people felt the tremors from a 3.9 magnitude quake centered in Rutland in 2015 and a 5.2 magnitude quake in Lincolnshire also shook parts of the county in 2008.

The largest known earthquake recorded in Britain was magnitude 6.1, 60 miles offshore near the Dogger Bank in 1931.

A BGS spokesman said: "The UK is not generally associated with earthquakes, however, between 20 to 30 earthquakes are felt by people each year and a few hundred smaller ones are recorded by sensitive instruments.

"Most of these are very small and cause no damage.

"A magnitude four earthquake happens in Britain roughly every two years. We experience a magnitude five roughly every 10–20 years.

"The Earth under our feet has many faults caused by our turbulent geological past. Some of these faults can be observed at the surface and mapped by geologists, others are hidden many kilometres below the surface. These faults are places where earthquakes can occur."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.