Surrey hit by another earthquake

Earthquake in Newdicgte on 15 February 2019 Image copyright British Geological Survey
Image caption The earthquake was recorded at a magnitude of 2.4, the British Geological Survey said

An earthquake has been confirmed in the same area of Surrey where a "swarm" of tremors were felt last year.

The magnitude 2.4 tremor was recorded at about 07:45 GMT in Newdigate, near Gatwick Airport, the British Geological Survey (BGS) said.

Dr Stephen Hicks, from Imperial College, London, said it was likely to have been the largest quake in the area since July.

He said it had been recorded on a number of local monitoring stations.

The BGS said it had received reports that "everything moved forwards then backwards", of a "loud bang and strong impact and shake as though something had fallen on the house" and a "general rumble that lasted for a couple of seconds".

It said evidence pointed towards a natural cause.


Surrey's earthquake swarm


Seismologist, Dr Hicks, said the number and magnitudes of earthquakes in the Newdigate area had tailed off during September and October.

"This one is the largest since late July.

"The location is the same and they are quite shallow - about 2km below the surface."