Kent Earthquake
Waking up this morning to reports of a moderate Earthquake near Folkstone in Southern England. The U.S. Geological Survey says it happened at 08h18 and measured 4.7 on the richter scale, while the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre have said it measured 5.0 on the richter scale. Kent Police says it measure 4.3 on the richter scale. And some bloke on Sky News just said it measured 4.1 on the richter scale. Hmmm. So far, it doesn’t sound too bad. Reports of damage range from chimney stacks falling over to cats falling off fences. Incidents in Britain tend to be typically British, and this earthquake is no exception.
09h30: Sky News seem to be loving this. Reports at the moment suggest that things aren’t too bad in the affected area, yet Sky News reporters and presenters are putting on their melodramatic voices and interviewing “experts” who are giving advice such as how in the event of a quake, one should roll off a bed into a “safe zone.” Meanwhile, the BBC are dropping in and out of the story and only updating viewers when there’s something worth mentioning.
10h34: It’s two hours after the event has taken place and neither of the main UK news channels have managed to get any pictures from the area. Rubbish! The only thing they seem capable of doing is interviewing eyewitnesses, most of whom are giving one word answers and saying the same things. “So, you’re bedroom shock a bit?” “Yes.” “And can you see any damage anywhere?” “No.” “OK, thanks very much for joining us.”
10h43: The “Skycopter” has made it to the area and managed for around five seconds to send pictures of chimney pot damage and people standing around in their dressing gowns before the picture cut out.
10h52: More pointless time-filling interviews on Sky. The Skycopter continues to struggle to do what it’s been equipped to do. A Sky News reporter says that Police are being stretched because all the traffic lights are out and they’re having to direct traffic.
11h02: To demonstrate how equally exciting things were in Kent before the quake occured, here’s a story that was filed yesterday about a man hitting a robber with a lettuce.
17h29: And that was that. Nothing more than a few chimneys felled. One lady was taken to hospital. It is a rare though for an earthquake of even this magnitude to affect Britain. The BBC have provided a handy Q&A page on today’s events.
19h18: Now confirmed at 4.3 on the Richter scale. Phew!
