A 3.3-magnitude earthquake has shaken homes in England with residents describing it as feeling like an “underground explosion”.
The tremor struck shortly after 11.23pm on Wednesday and was felt across Lancashire and the southern Lake District, including the towns of Kendal and Ulverston, within 12 miles of the epicentre, according to the British Geological Survey (BGS).
Data suggests the quake occurred just off the coast of Silverdale, Lancashire at a depth of 1.86 miles.
Residents told the BGS it "felt like an underground explosion" and was "so powerful it shook the whole house".
The Volcano Discovery website, which also collects information on earthquakes, received more than 1,100 reports from people who were in the area at the time.
Most reports detailed “light” or “weak” shaking.
The event was felt across the South Lakes and Lancashire, mainly within 20km of the epicentre, including Lancashire, Kendal and Ulverston. Reports describe: “felt like an explosion and vibration coming from underground” and “so powerful to shake the whole house”. pic.twitter.com/3jVo1H1yJY
— British Geological Survey (@BritGeoSurvey) December 4, 2025
Remarkably, Volcano Discovery also said it received reports of ground shaking in London just a few minutes after the tremor in the North-West.
It said: “We are receiving unverified early reports of ground shaking possibly caused by seismic activity in or near London...at approximately 23.33 GMT.
“There are no details yet on the magnitude or depth of this possible quake.”
Someone reported feeling a “weak shaking” at their Chelsea address.
They added: “Since 2025, England has had 66 quakes of magnitude up to 3.4: Five quakes registered above a magnitude 3, 16 registered between a magnitude two and three, and 45 registered below magnitude 2, that people normally don't feel.”
Each year, the BGS detects between 200 and 300 earthquakes in the UK, but only around 20 to 30 are strong enough to be felt.
Most go unnoticed, recorded only by sensitive instruments, and the vast majority cause little or no damage.
The most recent earthquake measuring more than 3.3 magnitude was felt in parts of Perth and Kinross on October 20.
The BGS said the quake struck at 7.25am, with its epicentre in Pubil, in the Glen Lyon region.
