A doorbell camera has recorded the precise moment when an earthquake hit Lancashire, providing residents with a strong wake-up call. The 3.3-magnitude tremor occurred off Silverdale’s coastline at 11:23 pm on Wednesday, December 3, causing locals to feel as if something had collided with their homes due to the seismic event that took place 3 km deep.
Residents reported hearing a strange rumbling and a loud crash during the tremor. A resident of Silverdale shared doorbell footage capturing the exact moment the earthquake struck. Emergency services were inundated with calls about the disturbance before the earthquake was officially confirmed. Ben Anslow, 23, experienced the seismic activity while heading home, describing it as a violent shake and a loud bang initially mistaken for an explosion.
Despite feeling a slight wobble from side to side, Ben noted that the impact was not severe. He mentioned that although the ground shake was not extreme, people in buildings might have felt more intense shaking, with some fearing chimneys were collapsing. Local residents expressed a mix of excitement and nervousness, with relief that everyone was unharmed.
Various individuals in different areas, including Morecambe, Heysham, and Arnside, reported feeling the earthquake. One resident described it as a rumble followed by a loud bang, giving the sensation that a part of the house had fallen. Authorities confirmed no injuries or damage, with emergency crews assessing the situation after receiving numerous reports of a loud noise coinciding with the earthquake.
In an official statement, Lancaster police mentioned the occurrence of a minor earthquake measuring 3.3 magnitude near the Lancashire and Cumbria border. This event marked the second earthquake in the UK that month, following a 1-magnitude tremor in South Wales. The British Geological Survey records around 200 to 300 earthquakes annually across the UK.
Residents shared their experiences of the earthquake, with some mistaking it for an explosion due to the intense rumbling and shaking. The incident caused a mix of fear and curiosity among locals, with many venturing outside to assess the situation. Despite the initial shock, everyone was relieved that there were no injuries or significant damage reported.