A minor earthquake has struck the south-west of England and south Wales, the British Geological Survey has said.

The BGS said it was a magnitude 4.4 quake and that such an event only occurs in Britain about every two to three years.

A shake map of the 4.4-magnitude earthquake centred on south Wales. Photograph: USGS/EPA

The earthquake happened on Saturday about 2.30pm local time. The BGS tweeted:

Just in: Event epicentre approx 20km NNE of Swansea, with 4.4 magnitude at a depth of 7.4km. Events of this magnitude only happen in the UK every 2-3 years. — BGS (@BritGeoSurvey) February 17, 2018

People across the regions said they felt what they thought was an earthquake on Saturday afternoon.



Wow was that an earthquake in Swansea my house just shook #earthquake earthquake — jamesleonard (@jamesleonard40) February 17, 2018

There has been a minor earthquake throughout South Wales....no need for you to contact the Emergency Services unless you have something to report ie:- injuries or damage. Hope this sets you minds at rest SWP — SW Police Cardiff (@swpcardiff) February 17, 2018

Mark Wyatt, a third-year student at Cardiff University, was entering his house in the city centre when he heard a “weird, deep rumbling sound” at about 2.30pm.

The 21-year-old said: “We heard the noises before we felt the rumble, and then the house shook for a couple of seconds before it stopped.”

Tremors were felt across the Bristol Channel into England too.

Seth Piper wrote on Twitter: “OK pretty sure I just experienced my first ever earthquake … in Bristol, UK?”