Derby Geologists Seek YOUR Experiences Of UK Earthquake
27 February 2008
Derby students pictured on a Global Hazards trip to the US Pacific Northwest, in September 2006. This picture shows the start of the earthquake trail on the San Andreas Fault.
The internet is an incredibly powerful tool to obtain data from people while it is still fresh in their minds, which is why we are setting up this blog.
”Dr Roger Suthren
Geology experts at the University of Derby have set up a blog for students, staff and the general public to offer their experiences of today's earthquake felt in the East Midlands region.
It will form vital information and research leads for the University's current BSc (Hons) Global Hazards course to understand more about earthquakes. Academics have appealed for information from across the UK.
The biggest earthquake in the UK for nearly 25 years hit the UK just before 01.00 GMT, has shaken homes across large parts of England and was felt by people across large swathes of the country, including here in Derbyshire, in the region of just 60 miles away from its epicentre in Market Rasen. The British Geological Survey recorded it as 5.2 on the Richter Scale, and the depth was five kilometres.
Now University of Derby academics, who teach within Geographical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, are turning to the internet to help gather vital research about people's experiences.
A blog has been set up on Derby's website to record people's experiences and academic staff Dr Roger Suthren and Dr Dorothy Satterfield, are keen to hear from anyone who can report what they saw, heard and felt, as the earthquake struck - and crucially, what had changed in their property afterwards - whether they are major or minor changes.
Dr Satterfield said: "We have experienced the dynamic earth through this event earlier this morning. It has more of an impact because it is uncommon here. For professionals working in this subject area, it is particularly exciting as it is an example of geology in action."
Dr Suthren said: "Earthquakes is coming up in one of the first year modules next week, so there is some real life data for students to work with. The way the US Geological Survey asks people to send in details of 'felt earthquake data', and we will model this approach. We want to hear everything from people related to the incident, what they heard, what they saw and what they felt. Also, what was the aftermath, in terms of damage or what had moved in the house?.
"The internet is an incredibly powerful tool to obtain data from people while it is still fresh in their minds, which is why we are setting up this blog."
Dr Derek Walton, Head of Subject for Geographical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, said: “ Derby is no stranger to the subject of earthquakes. On March 24, 1903, and July 3, 1904, some houses in the central area of Derby were damaged during other earthquakes. And the University has been teaching geology since 1896, when the institution was called the Derby School of Science.”
Students on Derby’s BSc (Hons) Global Hazards course visit areas of the globe which are subject to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and floods and other natural hazards, including a trip to the Western USA. And an important part of the course is assessing and managing the risk from these events.
You can post your stories here or see the reports that have come in so far.
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For more information about this news release, contact Simon Butt, Press and PR Officer, on 01332 591891 or 07748 920023, or email: s.butt@derby.ac.uk.
This press release was written by Deputy Head of Press and PR Simon Redfern on 01332 591942, or email: s.redfern@derby.ac.uk.
