The UK has experienced a series of earthquakes, with the latest instance involving three tremors striking the Schiehallion area, a popular hiking destination, in rapid succession over a six-hour period. The events unfolded on a snowy mountainous region, and notably, this area is largely uninhabited, attracting outdoor enthusiasts for hiking and biking.

According to the British Geological Society (BGS), the first earthquake occurred at 5.58 am, registering a magnitude of 1.8 on the Richter Scale, and was recorded at a depth of 3 km. It was felt by residents in the nearby village of Invervar, Glenlyon, who described the sensation as akin to “a badly installed washing machine kicking into fast spin cycle,” as reported by the Daily Star.

Approximately five hours later, a second minor quake struck at 11.14 am, measuring 0.6 on the Richter Scale. This tremor was recorded at a depth of 4 km. Just two minutes following that event, a third earthquake registered at 1.0 and was detected at a shallower depth of 2 km.

This recent activity in Schiehallion comes on the heels of another earthquake measuring 1.0 that occurred on 16 January in Roshven, Highland, at 7.21 pm, which was recorded at a depth of 8 km but was largely isolated from populated areas.

Locally, the previous fluctuations in seismic activity haven't gone unnoticed. A quake measuring 1.7 struck the same region just six days prior at 10.55 pm, which was reported to have rattled roof tiles and produced a loud rumbling sound, demonstrating the potential for tremors to be felt despite the area's remoteness.

Roger Musson, a former Head of Seismic Hazard and Archives at the British Geological Society, commented on the increasing prevalence of earthquakes in the UK. He explained to the Daily Star that seismic activity can be quantified using a simple rule: “For every decrease of one unit of magnitude, one expects a tenfold increase of number. So if the tectonic situation of the UK results in one 3.5 magnitude earthquake on average every year, then typically one should get ten of 2.5, and 100 of 1.5."

While many of these seismic events may go undetected by the general populace, they can still be recorded by instruments, indicating a significant uptick in activity across the nation.

Source: Noah Wire Services