Public mistakes earthquake near airport for plane crash

AN EARTHQUAKE in Surrey caused residents to think a plane had crashed, police have said.

The 3.1 magnitude tremor was felt in Newdigate, Surrey, less than 10 miles from Gatwick Airport, at 3.42am yesterday.

The area has become an earthquake “hotspot”, with four tremors recorded in the past fortnight, and 16 between April and August last year. Yesterday’s quake was the largest of the incidents.

Surrey Police received a number of calls, including one person reporting that a plane had crashed, and another thinking their house had been broken into.

Around 300 people contacted the British Geological Survey (BGS) to report that they had felt the quake, which struck over a more than six mile radius.

Residents reported rattling windows, moving pictures and sharp thuds – as well as a loud bang “that sounded like an explosion”, the BGS said.

David Galloway, a seismologist of 27 years with the BGS, said: “It has been the start of a new swarm in Surrey. I am sure residents are hoping it is the last.

“We have had quite a few phone calls and people are more interested in an event than worried about it, but they don’t want it to have a bigger one.”

He added: “Just because an earthquake doesn’t happen somewhere, doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

“This was at a two kilometre depth. If it is shallow like this it is felt more as it doesn’t have to travel as much.”

There was nothing to indicate that oilfields in Brockham and Horse Hill were responsible, said Mr Galloway.

Gatwick Airport confirmed staff had felt the tremors overnight but operations had not been affected.