HC Deb 08 August 1980 vol 990 c369W
Dr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many earthquakes have been recorded in Northumberland in each of the last 10 years.

Mr. MacFarlane

Instrument-derived records maintained by the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Natural Environment Research Council show that one earthquake in 1972, one in 1977 and two in 1979 originated in Northumberland. No earthquakes orginating in Northumberland have been recorded in any other year in the last 10, hut, in addition, three earthquakes which originated outside the area are known to have been felt in Northumberland: the Kirkby Stephen tremor of August 1970; the Carlisle tremor of December 1979; and the latter tremor's after-shock on 1 January 1980.