AN EARTHQUAKE shook a Hampshire community, rocking homes and sparking a hectic night for emergency services - and a warning of further tremors to come today.

The British Geological Survey today warned there may be more tremors following last night's.

A spokesman said this morning: “It is very likely. It is not unusual with earthquakes for there to be aftershocks.”

Any aftershocks are unlikely to be of the same magnitude.


The Headbourne Worthy quake which measured 2.9 was much smaller than the quake under Market Rasen in Lincolnshire in 2008 which measured 5.2.

That was felt across much of the country and was the biggest for 25 years.

A shock tremor measuring 2.9 on the Richter scale hit the Winchester area, shaking the ground for several seconds and generating an explosive bang that sending neighbours rushing from their homes.

Daily Echo:

Graph of last night's earthquake

Police were inundated with calls from residents fearing the thunderous sonic boom-like sound and powerful vibrations were caused by a major disaster.

The national police helicopter was sent out, fire engines were dispatched and emergency services contacted the military and aviation services, fearing the worst.

But experts from the British Geological Survey revealed the source of the commotion was deep in the earth’s crust, reaching three kilometres deep.

The tremor – Britain’s biggest earthquake in 50 days – struck at 6.30pm last night, with its epicentre in Headbourne Worthy and vibrations rippling out to the surrounding villages of South Wonston and Kings Worthy.

A statement released by the survey last night revealed the tremor measured 2.9 on the Richter scale and was 3km below the ground.

Its scale was minor in comparison to major earthquakes such as the 9.0 impact which struck off the northeast coast of Japan in March 2011 triggering a devastating tsunami.

But the Hampshire tremor’s loud bang caused shock among residents living in the area who ran from their homes into the streets.

Daily Echo:

A map of pinpointing the earthquake from the British Geological Survey

Aurora Eastwood, of South Wonston Farm, told the Daily Echo: “I was in the barn and the whole building shook.

“Every panel vibrated.

“A neighbour rang me to say their whole house shook. They felt it in Kings Worthy.”

Pam Logan, who lives in Littleton said: “We were having our dinner when there was a terrific bang and the whole house shook for a few seconds. It was very disconcerting.

“We thought that maybe it was some sort of explosion, especially as we live fairly near to the Army camp.”

Daily Echo:

Thelma Paige, 80, retired, of Fraser Road, Kings Worthy, said: "I thought someone was playing about outside because I could hear the door rattling. "

Daily Echo reporter Ali Kefford felt it from her home.

She said: “We felt it jolting and it really stopped us in our tracks.

“We felt the whole house move and it sounded like an explosion.

“We ran outside to see what happened and everyone else was doing the same thing.

“My young daughter was really scared but now she is fine and is really excited that it is an earthquake.”

One man living in the village of South Wonston also heard the loud bang and said: “The doors and windows and glasses were shaking.

“I went outside and there were loads of neighbours coming out their houses at the same time wondering what it was.

“There was speculation about an earthquake or a sonic boom from a passing aeroplane.”

Hampshire Constabulary received numerous calls from worried residents.

A spokeswoman said: “We’ve received numerous calls from the Winchester area and have contacted other agencies to investigate.

“There was no heat excess and no damage or fatalities.”

Hampshire Fire Rescue and Rescue were alerted by staff from South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) who reported hearing a loud bang “like an explosion”.

They sent out fire engines from Winchester and Eastleigh fire stations for safety but they were called back to the station when they were not required.

Daily Echo:

Sophie White, 25, retail worker, of Wesley Road, said: "I was stood in the bathroom and suddenly there was a big bang - I just thought it was my son jumping on the bed or pictures falling off the wall."

South Wonston parish councillor David Selby is an experienced hand at earthquakes. Last night's was the third or fourth he has experienced in Britain.

He said: “The first was in 1956 or '57 when I was a student at Nottingham University. When it happened last night I was certain what it was.

“I was playing bridge with friends and it was as someone upstairs had dropped something pretty heavy. The previous ones sounded like a motorbike starting to rev up. This was one big bang.

“I have noticed things before in South Wonston. There are occasions when I am quietly watching TV and you get a slight ripple effect.

“It is a good talking point in the village.”

  •  Did last night’s earthquake affect you? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@ dailyecho.co.uk or tweeting @dailyecho.

Alternatively call the newsdesk on 023 8042 4522.

Did you feel the earth move? If you did, please let us know by emailing newsdesk@dailyecho.co.uk or tweeting @dailyecho.

Alternatively you could call the news desk 023 8042 4522.