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Stockton earthquake: Tremor shakes homes on Teesside Stockton earthquake: Tremor shakes homes on Teesside
(about 1 hour later)
Teesside has been struck by a 2.8 magnitude earthquake, waking people up and causing homes to shake.Teesside has been struck by a 2.8 magnitude earthquake, waking people up and causing homes to shake.
The tremor was felt across Stockton, Billingham, Hartlepool, Wolviston and Middlesbrough just before 06:00 GMT.The tremor was felt across Stockton, Billingham, Hartlepool, Wolviston and Middlesbrough just before 06:00 GMT.
People posted on social media to say they heard a rumbling or felt their houses shake. Emergency services said they received calls but there were no reports of damage.People posted on social media to say they heard a rumbling or felt their houses shake. Emergency services said they received calls but there were no reports of damage.
The website Earthquake Track said it was six miles (10km) beneath Stockton.The website Earthquake Track said it was six miles (10km) beneath Stockton.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said 139 reports about the tremor had been received from the public.The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said 139 reports about the tremor had been received from the public.
Cleveland Police said it had received about 15 reports of the earthquake, with officers called out to several different areas.Cleveland Police said it had received about 15 reports of the earthquake, with officers called out to several different areas.
The force said no-one was injured.The force said no-one was injured.
Door 'popped open' 'Rather alarming'
Glen Ford, a seismologist from the British Geological Survey, described it as a "typical British earthquake" of the kind you would expect to see three times a year.
"The UK is criss-crossed with many old tectonic plates, you get the stresses built up on them and these small earthquakes get released," he said.
"There are about 200 a year actually but only about 10% of them are felt by the general public so that's why when they happen they really startle people.
"This one occurred just under a heavily-populated area so many thousands of people felt it.
"In world terms it's absolutely tiny, but with its timing... people were just starting to come awake so it's rather alarming, gets them out of bed quite early."
Some people reported being woken up by it, and one person said: "The whole house shook and the electricity flickered."Some people reported being woken up by it, and one person said: "The whole house shook and the electricity flickered."
One Stockton resident called Jason told BBC Tees: "There was a loud rumble, the door under the stairs popped open and then the house shook quite violently.One Stockton resident called Jason told BBC Tees: "There was a loud rumble, the door under the stairs popped open and then the house shook quite violently.
"It was quite an interesting way to wake up.""It was quite an interesting way to wake up."
Other people reported feeling the tremor.Other people reported feeling the tremor.
An earthquake of that size is usually likely to be felt by some people, but is unlikely to cause damage to any buildings, the USGS said.An earthquake of that size is usually likely to be felt by some people, but is unlikely to cause damage to any buildings, the USGS said.
Some people posted on Twitter to say they heard loud bangs.Some people posted on Twitter to say they heard loud bangs.
Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.