Channel Islands earthquake 'biggest in 90 years'

Met office heard a 'loud rumble and a crashing sound'

Jersey Met Office has confirmed that the Channel Island earthquake was the "biggest for the past 90 to 100 years".

Spokesman Tony Pallot, who felt the quake, said: "We are based at Jersey Airport on the first floor of arrivals, and we suddenly heard this quite loud rumble, crashing-type sound."

Historical map showing all quakes and tremors within the Channel Islands area.    

Tim Phillips, general manager of the Club Hotel and Spa in St Helier, was in a meeting with up to 30 people when the earthquake struck.

He said: "The building shook for about 20 seconds. It wasn't violent, but it was enough to make everyone question what was happening."



British Geological Society warn of quake aftershocks

The British Geological Society has warned of aftershocks following the largest earthquake in the Channel Islands for almost a century.

The BGS spokesman said: "Small earthquakes do occur in this region from time to time. It is not unusual for earthquakes like this to be followed by aftershocks.

"We get an earthquake of magnitude 4 to 4.9 roughly every two years."

Up to 300 earthquakes are detected in the UK by the BGS annually.


ITV
11 Jul 2014