Parts of UK rocked by 5.1 magnitude EARTHQUAKE as people wake to homes rattling

PARTS of the UK were rocked by a 5.1 magnitude EARTHQUAKE in the early hours this morning.

Dozens of people reported that their homes were "rattling" today as the tremors shook parts of northern Scotland.

The quake, which measured 5.1 magnitude, occurred at 5.32am off the coast to the north-east of Shetland.

But because of the distance from the epicentre, the intensity of the earthquake in the UK was felt less than the figure recorded in the Norwegian Sea.

The British Geological Survey said it was felt in Shetland, Aberdeen, Ellon, Stonehaven, Helmsdale, Inverurie, Lairg, Huntly, Banff and Fraserburgh.

Brits reported hearing "low rumbling sounds" as windows "rattled" with the earthquake.

Others said they felt "three waves of vibration in about three seconds" as many were awoken by the tremors.

Meanwhile, people in parts of Scotland said their "bed shook and windows creaked" and they "felt it as well as heard it, enough to wake me up".

The survey said one report came from Aberdeen - more than 311 miles from the epicentre - which was about 86 miles west of Norway.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake happened beneath the earth’s surface in the Norwegian Sea.

More than 70 members of the public reported the quake, which was said to have lasted around two minutes, to the USGS.

Ryan Thomson, who lives in Wadbister, Shetland, said he woke up to something that sounded like a “low flying jet.”

He said: “I initially woke up with the sound which was very similar to a very low flying jet or extremely loud thunder, it wasn’t until I saw the light shade moving that I clicked that this could be a small earthquake.

“There wasn’t much movement here, I believe other parts of Shetland felt that more, but the noise was extremely loud and quite alarming.