NATURE → Earth Hazards - Earthquakes
Earthquakes occur due to movement along the edges of tectonic plates or along fault lines in the earths crust. Over 80% of large earthquakes occur around the edges of the Pacific Ocean ("The Pacific Ring of Fire"). Damage to buildings and infrastructure caused by such earthquakes can be immense and as a result, often many lives are lost.
Location of worldwide Earthquakes
Source: The British Geological Survey
Turkey-Syria Earthquake 2023, Magnitude 7.8, Death Toll 50,000+
Source: CNN.com
Earthquakes in the UK
The strength or magnitude of an earthquakes is measured by the Richter Scale. 1 being very minor, 9 catastrophic
Richter Scale
Source: sciencenotes.org
The UK has around 200 to 300 earthquakes a year but most are no higher than magnitude 3 to 4, so are rairly felt. The largest known measued earthquake in the UK occured in 1931 near the Dogger Bank measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale. Although centered offshore it still caused some damage to buildings located along the east coast.
Generally speaking then, earthquakes pose little risk to those living in the UK.
References
British Geological Survey - Eartquakes
Turkey-Syria Eartquake 2023 - CNN.com
Location