An earthquake has rattled Lancaster and Morecambe Bay amid reports of a "loud explosion" in the Carnforth area.
Residents across north Lancashire and South Cumbria — including in Morecambe and Lancaster — reported their homes shaking, loud bangs and what felt like an “explosion underground.”
Authorities have confirmed there are no reports of injuries or structural damage.
The minor quake was centred off the coast near the Lancashire–Cumbria border.
The tremor measured around magnitude 3.3–3.4 and occurred at a shallow depth of approximately 3km, according to the British Geological Survey (BGS).
The quake struck at around 11:23pm on Wednesday, near the coastal village of Silverdale.
"At 11.23pm on Wednesday night (3rd December), we received reports of a loud explosion in the Carnforth area," said a Lancaster Area Police spokesperson.
"There has been a minor earthquake in the area, near to the Lancashire and Cumbria border, measuring 3.3 magnitude.
"There have been no reports of anyone injured or damage caused but we have officers in the area, together with colleagues from the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance Service.
"If you know of any property that has been damaged or potentially, please contact 101 – quoting log 1613 of 3rd December."
A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We’re aware that many residents felt or heard a loud bang earlier this evening in the Carnforth area.
"Our crews, along with colleagues from police and NWAS (North West Ambulance Service), have been supporting the response after a minor earthquake was recorded near the Lancashire–Cumbria border."
A Carnforth Fire Station spokesperson said: "At 23:33, we were called out following multiple reports of an explosion in the Carnforth area.
"After liaising with police, and with our control room receiving numerous calls describing a loud 'bang' or 'explosion,' the incident was assessed as likely being related to the earthquake that our crew also experienced at home.
"Upon returning to station at 00:12, we were immediately mobilised again to Aldi car park to attend a JESIP (Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles) meeting with police, ambulance, and the HART team due to the volume of calls received. Police also deployed a helicopter to conduct an aerial search of the area for any signs of potential damage.
"We returned to station at 02:00."
Residents posting on social media described feeling the sensation of the tremor.
Mags, messaging us via Facebook, said: "Thought it was the whisky, but no...I realised it was an earthquake."
Gail, posting on Lancaster Past and Present, said: "Felt it quite strong in Bolton-le-Sands."
Graham said: "I felt it in Morecambe on the White Lund Estate."
David said: "I didn't feel a thing in Lancaster yet my son was outside and he felt it."
Angela in Warton said her "house shook".
And Christine said: "Woke me up in Morecambe".
The UK typically experiences 200–300 earthquakes annually, though only 20–30 are strong enough to be felt by people. Most are too faint to notice and cause no damage.
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