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Cumbria feels shock force of an earthquake A 3.5 magnitude earthquake has shaken homes across Cumbria, the US Geological Survey has confirmed. The USGS said the tremor happened just before 11pm. It lasted up to 20 seconds, according to people in the area. The earthquake’s epicentre was 30 miles south-southwest of Carlisle and 75 miles west-southwest of Newcastle. Data from the British Geological Survey showed the location of the tremor as Coniston, Cumbria, 5.6 miles southwest of Ambleside, and with a depth of 8.9 miles. The USGS’ Dale Grant said
that seismic activity was “not uncommon for the area”. Earthquakes in Britain: · Six recorded within 50km of the latest earthquake - two had a magnitude of 3.7, in 1988 and 2009. · Dumfries in Scotland suffered a tremor measuring 3.5 on Boxing Day in 2006. · Kent (pictured) also saw an earthquake measuring 4.3 in April 2007. He said: “We have had ‘quakes dating back to 1976. This is a seismically active area. “The largest that we have ever recorded is a 4.3 (magnitude tremor) on November 21, 2002.” Mr Grant said the 3.5 magnitude tremor, initially reported to be 3.6, “would have got people’s attention”.
“But this is not the type of magnitude that would lead to extensive damage,” he continued. “It is something that will be roundly felt in the area... but, quite fortunately, it’s not any bigger than it is.” People who felt the earthquake described the sensation with a flurry of online activity on Twitter. “Tremor in Ambleside...felt and heard a rumble,” one tweeted. Another posted: “So it seems like we have just had an earthquake in Milnthorpe, doors rattling, house shook. Exciting.” USGS geophysicist Susan Potter said, in the past 40 years, six earthquakes had been recorded within 50km of the latest earthquake.
Zara following William with Royal engagement
THE QUEEN’S eldest granddaughter Zara Phillips and her longterm boyfriend Mike Tindall are engaged to be married. The Gloucester and England rugby star proposed to Ms Phillips, 29, at their Gloucestershire home. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are said to be “delighted” by the news. It is the second royal engagement this year, after Prince William and Kate Middleton’s announcement last month. Mr Tindall - born in Leeds and nicknamed ‘the Fridge’ presented his fiancee with a
solitaire diamond nestled within a pave of set diamonds on a platinum band. The former eventing world champion and 2006 BBC Sports Personality of the Year met her 32-year-old husband-to-be in 2003 after England lifted rugby union’s World Cup. In a short statement Ms Phillips said: “I was really shocked when Mike proposed but I am very happy.” Mr Tindall added: “I am delighted that Zara has agreed to marry me. We are both very excited about the next stage of our lives together.” Ms Phillips, daughter of the Princess Royal and her first husband Captain Mark
24 December 2010 - 06 January 2011
Phillips, has been living in Gloucestershire with Mr Tindall since 2009. In an interview the couple gave last year, the 12th in line to the throne indicated that marriage was a case of “when, not if” and they expected it to be a white wedding. A date for their wedding is yet to be set. But their engagement is expected to be much longer than that of William and Kate, who will marry on April 29. A joint statement issued on behalf of William, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry said they were all “delighted” with the news.
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