Thanks Gary for posting that comment for the world to see!The sonic boom was probably associated with the earthquake. The first earthquake that Sarah and I experienced when living in California also had a sonic boom. North Bovey is directly on the Sticklepath Fault axis, which is a lateral or "pull-apart" wrench fault, (sort of like the San Andreas system) which is the reason why the Bovey Tracey clay pits formed where they did in the Tertiary Period, associated with localised subsidence. The River Bovey and Lustleigh Cleave are all on the fault axis.
The good news is that now some stress has been relieved from the local fault system, there probably won’t be another earthquake (or "the big one"!) around here for a good few years to come…
Have enjoyed a few earthquakes in my life – only small ones, of course, but this was the first one I heard. The BGS and USGS seem pretty poor at explaining what exactly it is that one hears. As an old geologist I relish the opportunity to experience the earth showing off like this.
I really did FEEL the rumble yesterday, telling Alan straight away that we are experiencing an earth tremor! Many years ago whilst working in Tokyo I felt the skyscraper sway to the sound of a very loud rumble which triggered the emergency lighting and stopped all lifts in the hotel. And I was high up on the 15th floor! Jenny
11 Comments
Jennifer Jones
We heard a loud bang – something similar to a sonic boom. Was that it?
Gary Day-Ellison
It was. I thought it was a large vehicle or firing on the moor. Sandy came back from Sainsburys and asked "Anything happen while I was out?". Er . . .
Mike Rego
Thanks Gary for posting that comment for the world to see!The sonic boom was probably associated with the earthquake. The first earthquake that Sarah and I experienced when living in California also had a sonic boom. North Bovey is directly on the Sticklepath Fault axis, which is a lateral or "pull-apart" wrench fault, (sort of like the San Andreas system) which is the reason why the Bovey Tracey clay pits formed where they did in the Tertiary Period, associated with localised subsidence. The River Bovey and Lustleigh Cleave are all on the fault axis.
Gary Day-Ellison
Thanks for that, Mike. Amazing information!
Nikki Hurst
I heard it but had no idea what it was!!
Gary Day-Ellison
Publicity stunt for the Village Blog.
Mike Rego
The good news is that now some stress has been relieved from the local fault system, there probably won’t be another earthquake (or "the big one"!) around here for a good few years to come…
Gary Day-Ellison
Love having our very own Geological Correspondent.
Mike Rego
<div>If you felt or heard the earthquake, do fill out the survey on the British Geological Survey's website, and then see on the map where else it was felt, and with what level of intensity.</div> <div> </div> <div>Just follow the links below!</div> <div> </div> <div><a href="http://www.quakes.bgs.ac.uk/questionnaire/EqQuestIntroA.html">http://www.quakes.bgs.ac.uk/questionnaire/EqQuestIntroA.html</a> this is the simple questionaire to fill in online.</div> <div> </div> <div><a href="http://www.quakes.bgs.ac.uk/latest/201106231343_map.html">http://www.quakes.bgs.ac.uk/latest/201106231343_map.html</a> this is the map showing where it was felt around Dartmoor.<br><br></div>
mandy hart
Have enjoyed a few earthquakes in my life – only small ones, of course, but this was the first one I heard. The BGS and USGS seem pretty poor at explaining what exactly it is that one hears. As an old geologist I relish the opportunity to experience the earth showing off like this.
alancoy
I really did FEEL the rumble yesterday, telling Alan straight away that we are experiencing an earth tremor! Many years ago whilst working in Tokyo I felt the skyscraper sway to the sound of a very loud rumble which triggered the emergency lighting and stopped all lifts in the hotel. And I was high up on the 15th floor! Jenny