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US Geological Survey map showing the position of the earthquake |
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| Date | 28 April 2007 |
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| Magnitude | 4.3 ML |
| Depth | 5.3 kilometres (3 mi) |
| Epicenter | 51°06′N 1°10′E / 51.10°N 1.17°E |
| Countries or regions | Kent, England |
| Max. intensity | 6 EMS - Slightly Damaging |
| Casualties | 2 (minor injury) |
The 2007 Kent earthquake was an earthquake that registered 4.3 on the Richter scale and struck south east Kent, England on 28 April 2007 at 07:18:12 UTC (08:18:12 local time), at a shallow depth of 5.3 km.[1]
The worst affected area was the town of Folkestone, although the towns of Deal, Dover and Ashford were also affected. The tremors could be felt across much of Kent and south east England including as far as East Sussex, Essex and Suffolk[2] as well as on the other side of the English Channel at Calais and Brussels.[3]
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The British Geological Survey stated that the epicentre of the earthquake was less than 1 km north of Folkestone at 51.10°N, 1.17°E.[1] The United States Geological Survey indicated that the location of the earthquake was at 51.085°N, 1.009°E[4] suggesting a position approximately 5 km north west of Hythe.
The earthquake's shallow depth and proximity to Folkestone resulted in structural damage in the town, and one woman suffered a minor head and neck injury.[5] Following the earthquake, a total 474 properties were reported as damaged with 73 properties too badly damaged for people to return to, 94 seriously damaged, and 307 suffering from minor structural damage.[6] Harvey Grammar School situated in Cheriton Road, Folkestone was closed on 30 April due to "significant structural damage".
Several thousand homes were left without power for several hours and there were reports of a "smell of gas" in Folkestone.[7] The Port of Dover, the channel tunnel and travel links were unaffected although authorities asked people heading towards Dover to use the A2.[8] It is also possible that the earthquake caused a 300 metre (948 ft) crack in a cliff at Barton-on-Sea creating fears of a landslide. However, this could also be purely coincidental.[9]
EDF Energy had restored electricity supplies that had been cut by the earthquake by the same afternoon.[5] The Salvation Army Church in Folkestone provided refuge for approximately 100 people on 28 April whose homes had been damaged by the earthquake.[10]
The British Geological Survey gave the earthquake a reading of 4.3 on the Richter scale,[1] while the USGS and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre estimated that the earthquake had a body wave magnitude of 4.6 and 4.7 respectively.[4][11]
It was the largest British earthquake since the 2002 Dudley earthquake[7] and the strongest in the Dover Straits since a magnitude 4.4 earthquake in 1950.[12] The strongest recorded British earthquake was the 1931 Dogger Bank earthquake which measured 6.1 on the Richter scale.
Less than two years later on 3 March 2009 at 14.35 UTC, Folkestone was shaken by a smaller magnitude 3.0 quake, located in the same area.[13]
| Wikinews has related news: Earthquake strikes Kent, England |
Coordinates: 51°06′N 1°10′E / 51.10°N 1.17°E
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