The British Geological Survey (BGS) confirmed today (26th August 2019), that a 2.9ML earthquake was recorded at 07.30 UTC (08.30 BST). This was a trailing event induced by the hydraulic fracturing at Preston New Road, near Blackpool, Lancashire. It is to date the highest recorded event at the Preston New Road site since operations began in October 2018.
Update 28/8/19:
After further analysis by our seismology team the “Intensity” of the 2.9ML event at Preston New Road on Monday 26th August had been published as a “5 / Strong” and has been further revised to a number “6 / Slightly Damaging” this morning. The update is based on analysis of “felt reports” received by the BGS. To date, BGS has received above 2,000 “felt reports” from people who completed our online form, which detail what they feel or experience during an earthquake. This sample of responses is analysed and graded according to the European Macroseismic (EMS) intensity scale. However we are continuing to receive reports which are still being analysed, as more people fill in the online form.
For more information please go to our FAQ page or our Earthquakes information pages here: http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/education/faqs/faq_index.html
For further information regarding seismic activity at Preston North Road, please visit: http://earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/research/PrestonNewRoadFAQ.html
For general media enquiries for the BGS please go through the BGS press office on 07790 607010 or email bgspress@bgs.ac.uk.