Durness hit by 2.3 magnitude earthquake on New Year's Day

A SMALL earthquake was recorded at Durness on New Year’s Day, according to the British Geological Survey.

The 2.3 magnitude tremor happened at around 1.57pm and at a depth of 7km with the epicentre around five miles north west of the village.

The Durness area has experienced several quakes in the past with a 2.4 magnitude earthquake recorded at the village in February 2013 and three small earthquakes detected in 2015.

There are roughly 200-300 quakes in Britain every year, but the vast majority are so small that no one notices them.

However between 20-30 are over 2.0 magnitude which can be felt over a wider area.

The largest known Scottish earthquake occurred near Loch Awe in 1880, with a magnitude of 5.2. It was felt as far as Perthshire.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.