Residents reported a load bang and a rumbling noise followed by tremors as an earthquake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale struck the islands. The incident happened at 5.30am on Thursday and the police and coastguard received several calls from worried householders. The islanders described their windows shaking as if a truck was being driven past them at speed, windows going "in and out", a "growing rumble like a very large train approaching" and a "loud explosion". The LOCATION OF THE EARTHQUAKE WAS QUITE UNUSUAL as the area was not known for its seismic activity. The UK is hit by around 200 minor tremors every year, but only ten per cent are noticed by the general public. An earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter scale occurs on average every ten years, and a magnitude 4 earthquake occur every two to three years. The largest tremor in recent times measured 5.2 and struck Market Rasen, Lincs, in February last year. It was the most powerful quake in the UK for almost 25 years and caused widespread structural damage and several injuries.
