Staffordshire earthquake: UK hit by 'very large shake' as houses shudder
The quake's epicentre was in Tean, Staffordshire
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An earthquake hit Staffordshire on Wednesday evening as residents reported "rumbling" and rattling windows and doors.
The British Geological Survey has confirmed a 3.3 magnitude earthquake struck the area.
The tremor, which had an epicentre 4.5 miles (7.3km) below the village of Tean, was felt in Stoke-on-Trent and surrounding areas at around 8.20pm.
It is one of the largest of the 21 earthquakes which has hit the UK over the las two months.
The tremor, which had an epicentre 4.5 miles (7.3km) below the village of Tean, was felt in Stoke-on-Trent and surrounding areas at around 8.20pm
The BGS said people had reported "an initial rumbling, then a bang" with what "felt more like a shunt, like something had hit something".
Mark Begg said he was at home in Uttoxeter when he felt "a very large shake".
Other members of the public posted on social media that they had felt a "short sharp" tremor on Wednesday evening.
ON Twitter, Leilani Dowding said: "Woah. Just felt a little earthquake. No it’s not a euphemism!! Uttoxeter area.. thought I was going mad and imagining it. But it’s all over local social media"
Another person said: "Pretty sure I just felt an earthquake in Staffordshire."
While another added: "A short sharp earthquake in North Staffordshire just now.'"
Earthquakes are caused by movements in the Earth's faults, which refer to the boundary between tectonic plates.
Dr Ian Stimpson, a senior lecturer in geophysics at Keele University, said the area had not historically been hit by earth tremors.
Tremors were felt across Newcastle-under-Lyme as residents reported 'rumbles'
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"With this location and depth it is likely to be a natural earthquake rather than anything to do with former mines," he told the BBC.
Earlier this year, residents in Wales were struck with the biggest earthquake in Britain this year – a 3.8 magnitude tremor on February 24 – when locals reported their beds started to move and walls shook.
One resident in the small Welsh town of Abertillery not far from the epicentre said the quake was so noticeable "it felt like the roof was falling off".