A minor earthquake has struck the south-west of England and south Wales, the British Geological Survey has said.
The BGS said it was a magnitude 4.4 quake and that such an event only occurs in Britain about every two to three years.
The earthquake happened on Saturday about 2.30pm local time. The BGS tweeted:
Just in: Event epicentre approx 20km NNE of Swansea, with 4.4 magnitude at a depth of 7.4km. Events of this magnitude only happen in the UK every 2-3 years.
— BGS (@BritGeoSurvey) February 17, 2018
People across the regions said they felt what they thought was an earthquake on Saturday afternoon.
Wow was that an earthquake in Swansea my house just shook #earthquake earthquake
— jamesleonard (@jamesleonard40) February 17, 2018
#earthquake in Swansea Valley .... never thought I'd see the day! But the earth definitely moved for me! #scary #tremor #Wales #quake
— Jo (@BlacksheepJo) February 17, 2018
There has been a minor earthquake throughout South Wales....no need for you to contact the Emergency Services unless you have something to report ie:- injuries or damage. Hope this sets you minds at rest SWP
— SW Police Cardiff (@swpcardiff) February 17, 2018
Mark Wyatt, a third-year student at Cardiff University, was entering his house in the city centre when he heard a “weird, deep rumbling sound” at about 2.30pm.
The 21-year-old said: “We heard the noises before we felt the rumble, and then the house shook for a couple of seconds before it stopped.”
Tremors were felt across the Bristol Channel into England too.
Seth Piper wrote on Twitter: “OK pretty sure I just experienced my first ever earthquake … in Bristol, UK?”