A 3.3-magnitude earthquake struck north-west England late on Wednesday, causing significant tremors felt across Lancashire and the southern Lake District. The British Geological Survey (BGS) reported that the quake occurred shortly after 11.23pm, with its epicentre located just off the coast of Silverdale, Lancashire, at a depth of 1.86 miles. Residents in towns such as Kendal and Ulverston, situated within 12 miles of the epicentre, reported sensations akin to an "underground explosion". Many described the tremor as powerful enough to shake their entire homes. The Volcano Discovery website received over 1,100 reports from individuals in the affected area, with most describing the shaking as "light" or "weak". Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service noted that numerous residents reported hearing a loud bang, while Lancaster police confirmed they had received similar reports of an explosion in the vicinity. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or damage, and emergency services are present in the area to assess the situation. The BGS typically detects between 200 and 300 earthquakes in the UK each year, but only about 20 to 30 are strong enough to be felt by the public. Most earthquakes go unnoticed, recorded solely by sensitive instruments, and the majority cause little to no damage. The last earthquake exceeding 3.3 magnitude was recorded in Perth and Kinross on 20 October, with its epicentre in Pubil, Glen Lyon, occurring at 7.25am.