TWO UK towns have been hit by earthquakes on the same day – with homes left “trembling” by 2.3 magnitude tremors.
The British Geological Survey (BGS) said the quakes struck the Welsh regions of Powys and Ceredigion on Monday morning.
The first tremor hit Llangurig in Powys at 8.37am, measuring 1.0 magnitude.
A second earthquake struck Tregardon in Ceredigion at 9.09am, measuring 2.3 magnitude.
Tremors from the second quake could be felt in the towns of Ystrad Meurig and Aberystwyth.
Locals described “a weak trembling”, rattling mirrors and radio aerials.
One resident told the BGS the “water in my water bottle visibly trembled”.
There are roughly 200-300 quakes in Britain every year, but the vast majority are so small that no one notices them.
However between 20-30 are over 2.0 magnitude which can be felt over a wider area.
Earthquakes in Scotland are most often attributed to glacial rebound.
Until about 10,500 years ago much of the north of the UK was covered by a thick layer of ice.
These rocks have been slowly rising back up ever since the ice melted, causing occasional earthquakes in the process.
The UK is also subject to tectonic stresses caused by the expansion of the Atlantic Ocean and the northward motion of Africa.
The most damaging UK earthquake was in the Colchester area in 1884.
Some 1200 buildings needed repairs, chimneys collapsed and walls were cracked.
More to follow.