An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.9, originating from a remote location in Lochaber had been felt and heard in some parts of western Scotland. The epicentre was pinpointed in Kinloch, which is about 30km (19 miles) north-west of Oban. The quake was identified by the British Geological Survey (BGS) minutes before 8:45 pm on Sunday. Seismic activity of this intensity is not potent enough to cause damages but residents in Strontian, Mull Island, surrounding villages and Oban could feel the shake.
The BGS received reports from individuals within a 40km (25-mile) radius of the epicentre. One person who witnessed the quake said that ground and wall they were leaning against shook for about three seconds. Another person said it felt like a tank was passing the house. There was a very loud bang and rumbling. Mary MacPhail, a bed and breakfast owner near Strontian said she heard a rumbling noise while having dinner with her family. She thought it might be a plane flying over. She then realised that the sound came from the ground and not the sky.
In the UK, BGS detects around 300 quakes annually. However, only approximately 30 of these are felt, rumble or cause a loud noise sound. There are also other induced seismic events caused by human activities, such as sonic booms and the sudden movement of crowds. In June last year, Taylor Swift’s thousands of fans at a concert in Murray Field stadium in Edinburgh triggered seismic monitoring devices with their heightened energy during the concert.
Although it was not powerful enough to cause physical damage, this recent quake in western Scotland has left some residents astounded at such a rare occurrence in the area. Seismic activity is always a frightening phenomenon, and it is essential for local authorities to keep residents informed of the implications of such events
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