EARTHQUAKE UPDATE: Donegal is still in shock after being hit by a very strong earth tremor which measured 2.2 on the Richter Scale.
The minor earthquake struck just after 1am and was felt across Donegal in many towns and villages including Ramelton, Buncrana, Letterkenny, Raphoe, Kerrykeel, Downings, Carrigart, and Stranorlar.
Dr Tom Blake of the Irish National Seismic Network confirmed a tremor of 2.2 was recorded at 1.04am this morning.
“Anything above 2 on the Richter Scale could be regarded as a minor earthquake.
“We have had numerous reports about the tremor and we would like to hear from people to hear about their first-hand experiences of the tremor,” he said.
He has asked anyone who felt the earthquake to contact his office at tb@cp.dias.ie.
The British Geological Survey, which has recording equipment in Buncrana, also confirmed the tremor and warned that further tremors could occur in the coming days or weeks.
David Galloway of the BGS said earthquakes of such magnitude, although quite minor in world terms, are quite uncommon in Ireland.
“We get about 200 such earthquakes in the UK each year but we do not get many in Ireland at all. To some people a tremor of 2.2 might be just a tremor but to others it can be quite alarming.
“It is impossible to predict if this is an isolated event or if we could have some more in the near future,” he said.
Dozens of people have recounted the events of this morning.
Some described it as rolling thunder while others thought there had been a large explosion.
Mary McMonagle from Buncrana said she was reading a book in bed when the earthquake struck.
“I had a glass of water beside my bed and all of a sudden it began to shake.
“It only lasted between two and four seconds but I knew it was some kind of earthquake.
“I couldn’t sleep for the entire night worried that it was only a warning and that a bigger one was to come. Thankfully it didn’t,” she said.
There was great excitement in both St.Columba’s College in Straorlar where specialist equipment also recorded the tremor which had a depth of 3kms.
Kenneth McDonagh of the Donegal Weather Channel said “At first people thought it was thunder but it now appears it may have been an earth tremor.
“We have had numerous reports from across the county and we are investigating them” he said.
Nobody was hurt during the minor earthquake.
It is believed the earthquake took place 3km under Lough Swilly.
First the recession and now earthquakes! This government has a lot to answer for. Another broken promise!
one quick question how in the name of god could the government be blamed for an earthquake?
its a natural occurrence!
YEAH wats the goverment got to do wit it ok were in a recession but its not there fault anyway it wasnt tat big
i agree with all shook up and would bet that into the bargain they(the Government ) will deny any involvement as they typically do when there are earthquakes in Donegal instead of standing up shakily and admitting their part in this earthshattering and very moving event.
It’s just another example of how donegal seems to be forgotten by this goverment. No doubt they’re acting under IMF instructions! What’s next? Crop circles? Zombie sheep? Should we expect Errigal to blow it’s lid any minute now killing millions?
What is wrong with this country where everything has to relate back to politics. Have we lost our individuality and our ability to think for ourselves and get out of these brainwashed modes these sad people find themselves in. There is more to life than politics my friends, maybe try picking up a book and educate yourselves.
Well said james. We need people like you in government instead of the idiots in power now. Have you thought about going into politics?
@James – I think this is a thing called “humour”. People sometimes use it to bring a smile to other peoples faces in the light of situations. Lord knows we havent had allot to smile about recently. So please get off your pedestal and just let folks have a laugh
I hear it was just BIFFO Farting after eating chinese food last night and his usual pint or three too many caused the large Eathquake ..lol’s !!
but i guess thats still going into politics topic again ? and probably frowned upon by james ?
but i dont care i see the funny side so no need to blow a Head Gasket folks Biffo will do that for us …hahahaha !!
Anyway back to the tremor. Felt the tremor last night. Thought a lorry had crashed into neighbours wall, but it lasted longer than that, thought it was thunder but was different sensation than thunder. When I heard that we had tremor this morning realised what it was. Between Northern lights, tremors & lotto wins all we need now is for Errigal to erupt.
poor errigal it has enough to content with snow hail we sure are getting a mixed bag
Maybe it was some big oil company fracking for oil or gas in Donegal lol
Ignored & ostracized by Dublin, not recognised by certain inappropriate elements within Stormont; it will take more than a whim of an earthquake to destabilise or disempower God’s country, notably the chosen county of Tír Chonaill.
Maybe it was the aftermath of all the married women in donegal that are having affairs in various bedrooms!
Mr X
The only thing biffo has ever blown, was a hot load of ‘debt’ all over ‘Ireland’.
Maybe the earthquake was the so called ‘celtic tiger’ turning in his grave.
TheWind147
Time for independence lads … Cut off the path north at Ballyshannon with a few jcb’s and artics .. There’s no free state airforce or navy to speak of.. They can’t come through the north … So we can rock up at the ecb .. And start pretty much debt free !! We’ll build the wall set up the casino, the magill university and even resurect our railway .. Create every thing the dubs have been denying us while they built their motoways, airports and flyovers … Who’s with me ?
An earthquake: So that was what made the earth move for me at Fanad Head this morning at one o’clock.
And I only went out to photograph the Northern Lights. What a wonderful experience especially if it was areally big one…2.2 on the Richter Scale is quite orgasmic here in Fanad.
Mr. Mc Ateeer (John), you should remove your fine gael/right-wing mask & rise up from the ashes like the proverbial phoenix, to face the music & commence by excentuating some decent reviews in your version of the british daily mail, notably the Tr Chonaill Tribune.
Thank you Lloyd Dorfman:
That just has to the nicest compliment the Tribune has got in many years. I’m sure you are speaking from the experience of total ignorance…but nevertheless the freedom of expression is sort of enshrined in the new EU constitution.
A good observation from Lloyd I would have thought. nevertheless I see this tremor as a holy sign from the man above of the rumble about to hit the establishment of this country. Join us john, JOIN THE PEOPLE! ! ! !