Small Earthquake Felt Across Parts of South Cumbria
A small earthquake was felt across parts of South Cumbria and north Lancashire on Wednesday, May 13th.
The 2.3 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Silverdale area at around 10.11am local time. The British Geological Survey said the tremor had a depth of 3km and was felt in Silverdale, Carnforth, Arnside, Milnthorpe and Grange-over-Sands.
People who felt the tremor described a short but noticeable shake. Reports made to the British Geological Survey included descriptions of a loud thump, a feeling like a heavy lorry passing outside, a small underground explosion, and a large, quick shake.
There have been no reports of damage or injuries linked to the earthquake.
Tremor Felt in Several Communities
Although the earthquake was centred near Silverdale, it was felt across a wider area around the north Lancashire and South Cumbria border.
Places named by the British Geological Survey include Milnthorpe and Grange-over-Sands, both in South Cumbria, as well as Carnforth, Arnside and Silverdale.
For many people, the tremor may have lasted only a brief moment. Small earthquakes can feel like a sudden jolt, bang or vibration, rather than the longer shaking often associated with larger earthquakes.
Because this earthquake was shallow, at around 3km deep, it was noticeable to some people living nearby. Shallow tremors are often felt more clearly close to the centre of the event, even when the magnitude is low.
Not the First Recent Tremor in the Area
The area has felt minor earthquakes before.
Two small earthquakes were also recorded in the same general area in December 2025. One was recorded near Carnforth, while another was recorded again in the Silverdale area.
The latest event may have surprised residents, but minor earthquakes are not unusual in the UK. Most are too small to be felt by people and are only picked up by monitoring equipment.
When a tremor is felt, people can report what they experienced to the British Geological Survey. These public reports help experts understand how widely an earthquake was felt and what impact it had locally.
What Does a 2.3 Magnitude Earthquake Mean?
A 2.3 magnitude earthquake is classed as minor.
At this level, an earthquake is unlikely to cause damage. However, people close to the centre may still feel a sudden shake or hear a bang. Items may rattle, windows may vibrate, or it may feel like something heavy has moved nearby.
The British Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at 09:11 UTC, which was 10.11am BST in the UK. Its listed location was near Silverdale, Lancashire, close to the South Cumbria border.
The tremor has now been added to the British Geological Survey’s recent UK earthquake records. Residents who felt it can still report their experience through the BGS earthquake reporting system.
