BGS ALERT: SONIC EVENTS  NORTH WALES, MERSEYSIDE AND LANCASHIRE 21 DECEMBER 2004  12:00 - 12:30 UTC

BGS have received numerous reports and enquiries from the Media, the Police and members of the Public regarding felt events experienced in the North Wales, Merseyside and Lancashire areas today between 12:00 and 12:30 UTC.  Reports indicate that there were at least 4 separate events.  Reports described " heard a loud rumbling noise", "felt the ground shaking", "the whole house shook quite violently" and "all the windows rattled". Data from the BGS rapid-access networks in the region were examined and various signals consistent with a sonic origin were recorded at the stated times.

British Aerospace in Preston were contacted and have confirmed that the Typhoon Euro-fighter was on supersonic exercises at the time in the Irish Sea.

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Davie Galloway
Earthquake, Forensic Seismology and Geomagnetism
British Geological Survey
Murchison House
West Mains Road
Edinburgh EH9 3LA, UK

Tel: +44-(0)131-650-0273 (direct)
Tel: +44-(0)131-667-1000 (switchboard)
Tel: +44-(0)7801-792-085 (mobile)
Fax: +44-(0)131-667-1877
mailto:d.galloway@bgs.ac.uk
http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/

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