Earthquake Jolts Scottish Highlands

A 3.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded this evening in the Scottish Highlands, with the epicentre located on the northeastern shore of Loch Cuaich, near Inchlaggan, north of Fort William.

The tremor occurred at 5:45pm and was measured at a depth of approximately 8 kilometres beneath the surface.

While relatively moderate in size, this earthquake was noticeable in the surrounding areas and serves as a reminder that seismic activity, though less frequent than in some parts of the world, does occur in Ireland and the UK.

Earthquakes in Ireland and the UK tend to be small to moderate in magnitude. This is largely because both countries lie within the middle of the Eurasian tectonic plate, far from the edges where the most powerful earthquakes usually occur. Instead, seismic activity here is generally caused by minor movements along ancient fault lines in the Earth’s crust or by the gradual adjustment of the land following the retreat of glaciers thousands of years ago.

In the case of the Scottish Highlands earthquake, the region is known for its complex geology, with many fault lines and varied rock types that can sometimes shift and cause tremors. Though such events rarely cause significant damage, they are monitored carefully by seismic networks across the UK and Ireland.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Irish National Seismic Network work together to record and study these earthquakes to better understand the local geology and potential risks. Earthquakes of this magnitude are not uncommon in the region but typically go unnoticed by most people.