Newly released data from the British Geological Survey (BGS) has revealed that the United Kingdom was shaken by more than 300 earthquakes throughout 2025. The seismic activity, monitored by a network of 80 stations, underscores that the ground beneath our feet is far from static, with tremors recorded from the Scottish Highlands to southern Wales.
Seismic Hotspots and Significant Tremors
The two largest onshore earthquakes of the year struck within hours of each other on October 20 near Loch Lyon in Perth and Kinross. The first, a magnitude 3.7 event, was swiftly followed by a second measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale. Local residents reported dramatic experiences, with one describing a sensation "like an underground subway under my house," and another noting that "the house shook and all the windows rattled." The BGS received 198 "felt reports" for this sequence, some from over 60 kilometres away.
Another significant event occurred on December 3 in Silverdale, Lancashire, registering a magnitude of 3.2. This tremor sparked an even greater public response, with nearly 700 people submitting reports of having felt the ground move. In total, the BGS had recorded 309 earthquakes across the UK by December 18.
Understanding Britain's Restless Geology
Seismologist Brian Baptie of the BGS explained that the prevalence of activity in areas like Perth and Kinross is not unexpected. "The west of Scotland is one of the more active parts of the UK," Dr Baptie stated. He attributed this to well-known geological features such as the Great Glen Fault and the Highland Boundary Fault. In contrast, north-east Scotland experiences very few earthquakes.
"The earth under our feet has got lots of what we call geological faults in it," Dr Baptie elaborated. "Those are caused by our turbulent geological history, and because there’s still ongoing deformation around the UK. Sometimes those faults are activated by present day stresses, and when they are you get these small earthquakes."
The Importance of Monitoring and Future Risk
While the UK is extremely unlikely to suffer a devastating major earthquake, the data shows the country experienced an earthquake on average almost once a day in 2025. The BGS emphasises that studying these frequent, small events is critical for understanding the potential impact of rare, larger quakes.
A magnitude-four event in the UK and surrounding areas is typically recorded every three to four years, while a magnitude-five quake occurs every few decades—the last being in Lincolnshire in 2008. A magnitude-six earthquake is a rarer event, happening every few hundred years.
Publicly funded through UK Research and Innovation, the BGS's work provides crucial information to authorities. This research helps mitigate potential threats to major energy projects, buildings, and the nation's infrastructure, ensuring the UK is prepared for its seismic reality.
