All Shook Up

Wouldn't it be great if all it took to measure earthquakes was a sheet of paper and a couple of googley eyes? In reality, measuring seismic activity (especially in the UK) is complicated, yet absolutely fascinating!

Source

According to the British Geological survey, an earthquake occurs when a fault ruptures, releasing a burst of energy. The bursts of energy create ripples called seismic waves.  When these waves travel on the surface, they are naturally called "surface waves." On the other hand, waves called "body waves" travel in the body of the earth, and are split into two groups: S waves, which travel through solids only, and P waves, which travel through solids, liquids and gasses. (Keller and DeVecchio, 59-60)

Like any country, Britain;s earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates. Because it does not lie above a major boundary line, Britain experiences mainly minor earthquakes that are relatively frequent. In Great Briatian, out of the average 50 to 60 quakes taking place, only 20 to 30 earthquakes are felt each year, and most of which are never seen as posing any kind of threat. On to the Richter scale, the tool we use to measure the magnitude of an earthquake, earthquakes ranging below the level 4 mark are considered insignificant. Each year, most of Great Britain's earthquakes are felt at 5.

British Geological Survey provides
seismic activity stats regularly!

The British Geological Survey is a great resource which actually puts out a regularly updated list containing seismic events in the British Isles from the past 50 days. (Website can be found here!)

According to the survey, the most recent quake in Great Britain happened in Bromyard, Herefordshire. At a magnitude of 2.3, it's no wonder no one has yet reported feeling this small quake to the BGS.













Note to classmates reading this: anyone have any idea how to get rid of accidentally hi lighted portions of text?