3.1 Magnitude Quake Jolts Scottish Highlands

A 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck Inchlaggan in the Scottish Highlands on August 1, shaking homes and startling residents with a loud boom, which some compared to quarry blasts or a low-flying helicopter, heard in surrounding areas such as Muirshearlich, Knoydart, and Fort William. The British Geological Survey reported the quake at a depth of 8 kilometers and an impact zone spanning 24 kilometers. This event is part of an ongoing increase in seismic activity in the UK, with over 100 earthquakes recorded in 2024 and at least nine in a single week. Notable recent tremors include two 3.2 magnitude quakes in the Southern North Sea and smaller quakes in multiple regions across England, Scotland, and Wales. Experts state that while minor earthquakes are common due to the UK's fault lines, those above magnitude 3 are rare and can be felt, occasionally causing minor damage. Scientists are closely monitoring the seismic uptick, which remains unusually high for the region.