Posted on 05/21/2015 10:26:46 PM PDT by nickcarraway
KENT has been hit by an earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale which shook homes for 10 seconds and woke up scores of residents.
The east of the county was hit by tremors just before 3am.
The epicentre was said to be two miles west of Ramsgate, with the tremors felt as far as Canvey Island, Essex.
Local resident Simon Moores told Express.co.uk: "At just after 3am there was a dramatic violent jarring and jolting of the house for about 10 seconds.
"The seagulls launched into air with tremendous noise outside, dogs started barking, crockery moving, furniture jarring about a bit."
"It stopped after 10 seconds, which made me think it was probably an earthquake.
"Luckily my house was built in 1791. It's an old coastguard's house that's pretty sturdy – it lasted through the Napoleonic war."
Speaking to Express.co.uk, student Amber Vellacott from Capel-le-Ferne in Kent revealed how she was woken by violent shaking and felt an aftershock about 30 seconds later.
She said: "It was a bit of a shock. I was laying in bed and suddenly I felt the conservatory shaking, then the door started shaking in the house. It just wasn't right.
"I'm quite a heavy sleeper so it was a bit of an odd wake up call.
"All of our animals are quite shaken.
"It seems more shocking because of what's just happened in Nepal and it was a very odd time in the morning so it's woken a lot of people up."
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, based in Paris, said the earthquake measured 4.3 on the Richter scale and struck shortly before 3am.
It tweeted: "M4.3 earthquake strikes 46km SE of Southend-on-Sea (United Kingdom)."
The US Geological Survey measured the quake as magnitude 4.0.
Kent Police began receiving reports of the earthquake tremor in the East Kent area at around 2.57am today.
Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Services have not received any reports of structural damage or injuries.
"We will continue to liaise with our partner agencies to ensure we are providing help and support in any areas needed," the police spokesman said.
Kent was last hit by an earthquake in March 2009, with experts recording a 2.8 magnitude.
Another quake, in 2007, registered a magnitude of 4.3.
Another witness said: "I was woken up to the entire house shaking.
"It was very loud, and sounded like someone running through the house. I'm still shaking.
"Although I'm relieved others reported hearing it too as I spent ages looking for an intrude
Whew I thought it was here again LOL. Looks like God is trying to get our attention around the world. Also it looks like the Ring of Fire is gradually becoming more active. Be Prepare !
There was also one tonight of roughly the same strength in Napa.
Fracking
I’m surprised. Never heard of any such noticeable earthquake happening in England before.
As Jesus said, “there will be earthquakes in divers places.” (Different) From the book of Matthew.
Goodness gracious are those damn Texans fraccing in the UK now?
It’s the aftershock following the British election.
200 UK ones a year, but all very small.
This one was 260000 times SMALLER than Nepal.
Last one I felt was Sept 2001.
We do get small quakes in England, but as you say, it is extremely rare.
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