Earthquake Shakes Shropshire: Tremor Hits Near Wem
A 3.8 magnitude earthquake rattled Shropshire yesterday, sending shockwaves through Wem and nearby Market Drayton.
Details from the British Geological Survey
The British Geological Survey (BGS) confirmed the tremor struck just after 2:30pm BST. The epicentre was located 8km (5 miles) underground, just south of Market Drayton near Wem.
BGS said quakes of this strength only hit the UK about once every three years. Still, more than 200 smaller tremors are recorded nationwide each year.
Residents Describe Shaking Homes and Shaken Nerves
Julie Williams, upstairs in her Wem home, told the BBC: “All I heard was a thud and a shudder through the bedroom floor. I knew straight away what it was — I just thought, get downstairs and get out.”
“It shocked me,” she added. “My legs went to jelly.”
Andy Semourson from Whitmere said: “My whole house creaked and my furniture wobbled. It really shook the place. I’ve never felt one this strong.”
Emergency Crews Urge Calm
Market Drayton emergency teams also felt the tremor but urged the public not to flood 999 calls unless there was a true emergency.
