Press Association

South Cumbria rocked by earthquake

An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.7 on the Richter Scale has shaken south Cumbria, the British Geological Survey has said.

Cumbria Police said there had been no reports of casualties or damage following the mid-morning tremor.

A spokesman said: "Police began receiving reports from members of the public of an earth tremor in south Cumbria at 11.26."

He added: "We have liaised with the British Geological Survey who confirmed this was a natural seismic event which occurred at around 11.22am.

"Calls have been received from a number of people who felt the tremor in the Barrow, Carnforth and Kendal areas. There are no reports of any casualties or injuries or damages at this time."

A British Geological Survey spokesman said: "An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.7 was recorded 5km (3 miles) south-east of Ulverston and 8km (5 miles) underneath that area at 11.22am."

BGS seismologist Dr Aoife O'Mongain said: "An earthquake of this magnitude is unlikely to cause any substantial damage but we know a number of people have felt the tremor this morning.

"I would encourage them to visit our website and let us know about their experiences which will help with our data."

The last recorded earthquake in Britain took place in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, last February, she said.

Dr O'Mongain said the magnitude was 5.2 on the Richter Scale but that only led to brickwork and chimneys falling off buildings.