Earthquake hits much of England

這個……雖然說是英國20年以來最大的一次地震，但民眾的反應未免太誇張了吧！

The biggest earthquake for nearly 20 years has been felt across large parts of England.

People from as far afield as London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, East Anglia and Yorkshire felt the tremor.

It struck at about 0100 GMT and lasted for nearly 10 seconds but it is unclear if it has caused any damage.

The British Geological Survey said it believed the quake was of the magnitude of 5.1 and said the epicentre was close to Grimsby in north-east Lincolnshire.

A spokesman said it was the biggest earthquake to hit England since 1990 and could be of a level to cause minor damage to buildings.

The West Midlands was hit by an earthquake in 2002 in the Dudley area that reached a magnitude of 5.0 and caused damage to homes.

And last year an earthquake measuring 4.3 hit Folkstone in Kent, causing widespread damage.

Jemma Harrison, 22, in Bury, Greater Manchester, said: "It was really bad. I was fast asleep and woke up and the room was shaking and there was a loud bang and alarms were going off."

Natasha Cavey, in Tipton in the West Midlands, said: "All my cupboard doors flew open and the whole house shook, it was unreal. I can't believe it."

David Somerset, 41, from Driffield near Beverley in East Yorkshire, said: "I have never felt one as strong as that one before. I was in my sitting room and the grandfather clock was rattling rather violently.

"It was very strong, I felt the whole room moving."[引用來源]