2.9 magnitude earthquake and 'boom sound' in Hampshire, England

The epicentre of the quake was at Headbourne Worthy, just north of Winchester

An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.9 has been recorded in Hampshire, the British Geological Survey has confirmed.

Postings on social media reported buildings in the Winchester area shaking following a tremor shortly after 18:30 GMT.

A police spokeswoman said no injuries or serious damage had been reported.

Matthew Emery, from South Wonston, near Winchester described the experience as "almost as if Concorde had flown over".

The British Geological Survey (Bgs) reported a tremor at a depth of 3km (1.9miles) at Headbourne Worthy, just north east of Winchester.

BGS Seismologist David Galloway said the UK experienced about 10 quakes of such a size each year which were "usually quite widely felt around the area".

"We live on a dynamic planet. We're actually sitting in the middle of one of the plates on the earth's crust, but because of the stresses caused by all the movement, we still get little earthquakes in the UK."

The BGS said it had received a report from a residents who said "the whole bed was visibly shaking" as well as one who said the earthquake sounded "like a bus" crashing "into the neighbours house at speed".

Hampshire Constabulary said it had initially received lots of calls from concerned residents in the Kingsworthy area following reports of something which "felt like an explosion which shook their houses".

Residents also took to social media to describe what happened.

Rowland Rees tweeted: "Quake felt in Crawley, Winchester. Whole house shook for a few seconds!"

And Jen Gupta said in a tweet: "Our house in Winchester just shook enough to rattle glasses in the cupboard, accompanied by a boom sound."

Rachel Cristofoli, in Kings Worthy, said: "Everyone felt it and came outside to see what was going on. It lasted about 5 seconds, but the houses all shook from top to bottom."

Brook Ethridge, barmaid at the South Wonston Social Club, said: "About half past six, I was sitting reading my book and all the glasses started shaking. It sounded like someone had driven into the back of the club.

"Everyone ran outside, couldn't see anything. It doesn't sound like the sort of thing that happens in a quiet little place - you just don't expect it."

Chomsky: We Are All – Fill in the Blank.

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