UK Earthquake FAQ
Common questions about earthquakes in the UK and worldwide, answered with British Geological Survey and USGS data.
When was the last earthquake in the UK?
The most recent earthquake in the UK was a magnitude 1.60 at Cold Weston, Salop, UK on 1 July 2026, 00:52 UTC. The UK region has recorded 23 earthquakes in the last 30 days. See the live list at earthquakes.co.uk/uk.
Does the UK get earthquakes?
Yes. The UK records between 200 and 300 earthquakes every year, detected by the British Geological Survey. Only around 20 to 30 of these are strong enough to be felt. The UK sits far from tectonic plate boundaries, so its earthquakes are small compared with countries like Japan, Turkey, or Chile.
What is the biggest earthquake ever recorded in the UK?
The largest known British earthquake was the magnitude 6.1 Dogger Bank earthquake on 7 June 1931, centred about 60 miles offshore in the North Sea. It was felt across most of Britain. The largest known onshore UK earthquake was the magnitude 5.4 Lleyn Peninsula earthquake in North Wales in 1984.
Which parts of the UK have the most earthquakes?
The most seismically active areas of the UK are north-west Wales, the west coast of Scotland (especially around the Great Glen fault), and the English Midlands. The east coast of England, Northern Ireland and eastern Scotland are the quietest areas.
Why does the UK get earthquakes if it is not on a plate boundary?
British earthquakes happen when ancient geological faults are reactivated by regional stresses in the Earth's crust, including pressure transmitted from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the ongoing "rebound" of land that was pressed down by ice sheets during the last Ice Age.
Could a big earthquake happen in the UK?
A magnitude 4 or larger earthquake happens in the UK roughly every two years, and a magnitude 5 or larger roughly once a decade. Seismologists consider a magnitude 6+ event possible but rare — perhaps once every few hundred years. A destructive earthquake like those seen at plate boundaries is considered extremely unlikely.
What should I do if I feel an earthquake in the UK?
Most UK earthquakes are over in seconds and cause no damage. If shaking is strong: drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table, and hold on until it stops. Stay away from windows and objects that could fall. Afterwards you can report what you felt to the British Geological Survey, which uses public reports to assess each event.
How are earthquakes measured?
Earthquake size is measured by magnitude, usually the moment magnitude (Mw) or local magnitude (ML, the "Richter scale"). Each whole number step releases about 32 times more energy. Magnitude 2 quakes are rarely felt; magnitude 4 quakes rattle windows; magnitude 6+ quakes can cause serious damage near the epicentre.
Where does the earthquake data on this site come from?
UK earthquake data comes from the British Geological Survey (BGS), which operates the UK national seismograph network. Worldwide data comes from the US Geological Survey (USGS) real-time feeds. This site checks both sources automatically every 15 minutes.
Do UK earthquakes cause tsunamis?
It is extremely rare. The only well-documented tsunami to strike Britain in recorded history followed the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, and the Storegga submarine landslide caused a large tsunami around 8,200 years ago. UK earthquakes themselves are far too small to generate tsunamis.
Track events live on our world earthquake map or see the latest UK earthquakes.