Double Earthquake Hits Scottish Highlands in Nine Hours

Tremors follow a series of quakes in the area, with residents describing unusual sensations.

Two earthquakes struck the Scottish Highlands within nine hours of each other, causing residents to report sensations akin to ‘military jet’ blasts. The initial quake occurred in Morvern at 12:18 pm on Wednesday, registering a magnitude of 1.4. Later that day at 8:43 pm, a second earthquake with a magnitude of 1.1 was recorded on the Treshnish Islands off the Argyll coast.

These events are part of a series of recent tremors in the Highlands, including 13 recorded in Morvern. On Christmas Eve, a 2.0 magnitude tremor shook residents on two Scottish islands, with the epicenter in Kimelford, Argyll. This quake was felt on the Isle of Mull, Isle of Lismore, and Lochgilphead.

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Residents reported various experiences, with descriptions including “thought it was a military jet,” “a loud, low rumble like a heavy vehicle passing,” and “loud bang that woke me up.” Additional quakes, such as a 1.5 magnitude event on December 15 in Morvern and a 2.1 magnitude quake on December 9, have contributed to heightened seismic activity.

Since October 10, Morvern has experienced at least 13 earthquakes. While the UK witnesses approximately 200-300 earthquakes annually, most go unnoticed due to their small magnitudes. However, events exceeding 2.0 magnitudes can be felt over a broader area.

The UK’s seismic activity is often attributed to glacial rebound—rebounding rocks pushed down by glaciers. The largest known Scottish earthquake on land occurred near Loch Awe in 1880, registering a magnitude of 5.2. Additionally, tectonic stresses resulting from the expansion of the Atlantic Ocean and the northward motion of Africa into Europe contribute to occasional seismic events in the region.