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The EMSC, an independent scientific organisation based in Paris, said it measured 4.7 on the Richter scale, at a depth of 10km. Tremors were felt up to 300km, 190 miles, from the epicentre. It is the fifth biggest earthquake ever recorded in the UK and the biggest to rock Britain in ten years. EMSC estimated around 10 million people would have felt the quake when it struck yesterday, and some small aftershocks following the quake. Dyfed-Powys Police in Wales confirmed the tremor had been felt in its control room and they were experiencing a high volume of calls in relation to the incident. Swansea University was evacuated after the quake.

The British Geological Society said it was the UK’s “biggest onshore event” in a decade. They tweeted yesterday: “In relation to this afternoon's event: Around 3000 event of this size in the world every year

Biggest onshore UK event in 10 years, since 27 Feb 2008 Market Rasen eq 5.2 ml 16X bigger than todays event

Approx. 8 million times smaller than the magnitude 9.0 in Japan March 2011.”

10 million people felt the quake across England and Wales

The British Geological Society has confirmed two small aftershocks have taken place. One registered 1.2 magnitude and the second registered 1.5. A third, smaller aftershock was also registered but not given a magnitude.

UK earthquake LIVE: The latest maps, stats and reactions Sat, February 17, 2018 The earthquake has hit the UK, with tremors felt across England from as far as Cornwall to Liverpool Play slideshow EMSC 1 of 10 A map shows the earthquake's epicentre

Port Talbot Town FC reported the earthquake temporarily stopped play. The club wrote on Twitter: "43' - temporary stop in play. A recorded earthquake in the area. Incredible." A local in Cheltenham, aged 32, told Express.co.uk: "It was like a big lorry bouncing past the house at speed. "It sounded like an earthquake." Roger Heard, in Bradford upon Avon, told Express.co.uk: "Suddenly my chair was sliding from side to side. My wife and I ran outside, we found it very unnerving".

British Geological Survey Seismic activity recorded at British Geological Society station in Monmouth

Meyrick Sheen, father of actor Michael Sheen, told Wales Online: “We have lived here for 40 years and we have never experienced anything like this before, it felt like a massive explosion under ground. “The walls shook, the lights flashed and the pictures were shaking. It was frightening.” Social media was ablaze with people reporting feeling tremors and buildings shaking earlier this afternoon. One person in Bristol wrote on Twitter: "Was there an earthquake in Bristol?? The whole building just shook!!??" Tina Anton wrote on Twitter: "Just had a tremor as in earthquake in Cornwall! I lived in Greece and experienced loads there but never expected one in the southwest of England."

Estimated population in the felt area: 10 millions inhabitants pic.twitter.com/uHMJYPsUfZ — EMSC (@LastQuake) February 17, 2018

A resident of Upper Brynamman told the British Geological Society: "Low, rumbling noise - lasted about 5 seconds. "Walls of the house vibrated and windows slightly rattled. Not as strong as the one we experienced here in 2003/4, but it's really unsettled our dogs and our budgies." The quake was initially reported at 4.7 magnitude, but conflicting reports from the British Geological Survey have registered it at 4.4 and 4.2 magnitude. Seismologist Stephen Hicks said on Twitter: "Historically, South Wales is a bit of an earthquake hot-spot in the UK."

SEISMIC ALERT: CWMLLYNFELL, SOUTH WALES 17 FEBRARY 2018 14:31 UTC 4.4 ML



LAT/LONG : 51.776° North / 3.837° West

GRID REF : 273.3 kmE / 210.2 kmN

DEPTH : 7.4 km

MAGNITUDE : 4.4 ML — BGS (@BritGeoSurvey) February 17, 2018

This is the biggest event in the area since the 5.2 magnitude earthquake in 1906. pic.twitter.com/zq9JEIttQI — BGS (@BritGeoSurvey) February 17, 2018