North Wales has been hit by two earthquakes this month, as per reports from the British Geological Survey. The initial quake occurred on Monday, September 2, near Llangaffo on Anglesey. With a depth of 1.3km and magnitude of 1.3, it was mostly unnoticed, except by one household around 2km from the epicentre, reporting “a slight shaking and a faint rumbling”. The second earthquake hit on Saturday, September 7, centred at Pant Plas in Gwynedd, 5km south of Penygroes. Although also registering a magnitude of 1.3, it occurred deeper at 15km, without clear evidence of residents feeling it.
These recent events mark the fifth and sixth earthquakes recorded in the region over the past 10 months. Notable past incidents include an earthquake in Carmel, Gwynedd, on December 20 last year with a depth of 19km and a magnitude of 1.8. Another significant quake took place on February 8 this year in Eryri, sounding like “a roar like a strong wind”, and a third was recorded on March 3 with the epicentre in Llangwm, Conwy, measuring a magnitude of 0.9. Additionally, an earthquake in the Irish Sea was felt as far away as Llangefni on Anglesey in July.
Social media reactions to the seismic activity varied, with some acknowledging feeling the earthquakes, while others seemed unaware of them. The pattern of seismic activity in Wales has raised interest and concern among residents, especially those living in the affected areas. Monitoring and research can provide valuable insights into the frequency and impact of such events, supporting community preparedness and safety measures.