MIDDLETON was rocked by a series of earth tremors today (Monday), prompting experts to warn residents not to go outside because of the dangers of falling debris.
A two-second rumble was felt over a wide area of Greater Manchester just before 9am, followed by a smaller tremor some 10 minutes later. A larger tremor then struck at 12.42pm, measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale - 11 times bigger than the earlier ones. This was followed by a smaller tremor of 3.4 on the Richter scale.
Following the lunchtime tremors Greater Manchester Police received nearly 200 calls within twenty minutes from concerned residents. There were no initial reports of damage or injuries in Middleton.
The later tremors prompted the National Geological Survey to advise people to stay indoors as they could be at risk from potential falling debris which may harm them as they leave buildings.
A spokesman for the survey said the first earthquake had measured between 3.2 on the Richter scale, but the last two tremors had been larger.
He said it appeared the earthquake had been confined to Greater Manchester, with reports also coming in from Manchester, Salford, Rochdale, Oldham and Stockport.