Kent News - Another earthquake could be on the way, experts warn

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Another earthquake could be on the way, experts warn

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Firefighters deal with a dangerous chimney

Scared residents in the coastal town hit by an earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale have been warned there could be another big quake on its way.

Since the initial quake shook Folkestone on April 28, seven smaller tremors have been felt by residents, with the biggest measuring 1.8 on the scale according to seismologists.

And experts at the British Geological Survey have warned the tremors could be leading up to an aftershock that could measure 3.3 on the Richter scale.

Bernadette Leaheath’s two-storey house was damaged in the initial quake. She said: “The quake was so frightening. I thought my cooker had exploded.

“I have felt a few very quick rumblings underfoot since but nothing like the earthquake.”

She added: “I don’t think I could handle another one. My heart can’t take it. I am really scared.”

Seismologists Lars Ottemoller said: “The general rule is that aftershocks may reach a magnitude of one less on the Richter scale than the initial earthquake.

“The last aftershock was on May 5 which measured just under two on the scale and we are likely to see more around this magnitude.

“But I cannot rule out one of a magnitude three in the next few weeks.”

More than 1,500 properties were affected by the tremor and more could be damaged by an aftershock.

Mr Ottemoller added: “We are limited on what we know on aftershocks but we cannot predict them.

“Earthquakes are unusual in the UK so we need to study this one on detail. We are looking at why it happened and what it means for the future.”

POSTED: 13/05/2007 02:00:00

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