Homes shake as earthquake hits Thame

RESIDENTS of Thame and the surrounding area who sleep more deeply than many, woke up this morning to reports on social media that an earthquake had hit the area, causing the ground, and in some reports, houses to shake.

The seismic trace that show the moment the earthquake hit Thame

An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.3 was later to confirmed by the British Geological Survey (BGS) to have taken place in the area, with its epicentre in Emmington, between Thame and Chinnor, at 11.12 pm last night, March 6.

The earthquake was at a depth of 7 km, reported the BGS, and though not severe, was ‘significant’ because so many people felt it.

Alex Chivers was one of those awake at the time of the tremor and wrote on twitter: ” (@alexchivers14):
Thought I was going mad when the house shook but there was actually an earthquake!”

Hannie Crowther reported on twitter: “My mirror and telly rattled!”

Geology behind the Thame quake

The Thame and Chinnor area is very close to the Chilterns Hills which were themselves formed by seismic activity over millions of years. Over time the massive forces of the earths shifting tectonic plates lifted and folded the chalk rock which was then very gradually eroded resulting in the gently undulating hills we see today.

This movement of the techtonic plates continues today and it is this that causes earth tremors and earthquakes – albeit fairly gentle movements in our part of the world.

More about British techtonics here: LINK