Two earthquakes hit Wales

Google maps view of Llangaffo
-Credit: (Image: Google Earth)


North Wales has been shaken by two earthquakes this month, with the first tremor recorded on Monday, September 2, centred near Llangaffo on Anglesey, as reported by the British Geological Survey. The initial quake had a depth of 1.3km and a magnitude of 1.3, but it seems to have gone largely unnoticed.

According to the BGS, it was "Felt by a single household in Niwbwrdh, around 2km from the epicentre, who reported "a slight shaking and a faint rumbling." The second earthquake's epicentre was located at Pant Plas in Gwynedd, 5km south of Penygroes, on Saturday, September 7.

This quake also registered a magnitude of 1.3 but occurred deeper at 15km. There is no further information on whether it was felt by residents. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.

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These incidents mark the fifth and sixth earthquakes recorded in the area over the last 10 months. The first notable one took place in the small rural village of Carmel, Gwynedd, on December 20 last year, reaching a depth of 19km and a magnitude of 1.8, which was felt as far as two miles away in Rhydlios, according to BGS data, reports North Wales Live.

Subsequently, a more significant quake struck Eryri, described by an eyewitness as sounding like "a roar like a strong wind". This event was pinpointed 2km underground near Foel Grach in the Carneddau mountains, occurring on February 8 this year.

Wales was shaken this year with tremors reported on multiple occasions. The third notable shake of the year occurred on March 3, with the epicentre in Llangwm, Conwy, measuring a magnitude of 0.9 and at a depth of 12km.

Additionally, an earthquake in the Irish Sea was felt as far away as Llangefni on Anglesey in July. It struck with a magnitude of 2 at a depth of 12km and happened at 3.26pm.

Social media users had mixed reactions to the seismic activity; some acknowledged feeling it, while others seemed oblivious. One individual commented: "Didn't feel a thing," with another expressing surprise, responding: "Wow, I wouldn't have thought you could miss it."