Borders hit by its biggest earthquake in seven years
THE biggest earthquake to hit the south of Scotland in seven years has been recorded between St Mary’s Loch and Hawick, writes Kenny Paterson.
The 1.8 magnitude quake took place at 10.10am on Wednesday morning alongside the Borthwick Water in Craik Forest, the British Geographical Survey reported. It is not believed any properties were damaged.
The quake, named a micro as its magnitude was below two, struck two miles below the earth’s surface.
A spokesman for the British Geographical Survey said: “We had one resident who reported feeling the quake, and described it as ‘very weak’. That is what we would expect from a quake of that magnitude. It was also in a very isolated area with few people living nearby.”
A Borders-based seismologist told us: “There are lots of small faults across Scotland and this quake will be the result of one of these moving.
“An earthquake of this size would result in a feeling similar to a large lorry passing your house. Often people do not realise there has been an earthquake.”
The Craik Forest tremblor was the largest to hit the south of Scotland since a 3.6 magnitude quake hit Dumfries on Boxing Day, 2006.
British Geographical Survey records show a 4.2 magnitude hit Galashiels on March 1, 1728.
On Boxing Day 1979, a 4.7 tremor struck near the border south of Langholm, around 22 miles from last week’s quake.
That time, damage was reported near Canonbie, including fallen chimneys and roof slates.
A quake of 2.4 was measured in Sutherland in the Highlands in January,the largest to hit the north of Scotland for 120 years.
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Weather for Galashiels
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
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