The British Geological Survey (BGS) has confirmed that a small earthquake was detected off the western coast of Anglesey earlier this month, adding to the region's record of minor seismic activity.
Details of the Anglesey Tremor
The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 0.4, struck in the Irish Sea. Its epicentre was located 5.6 miles (9km) southwest of the village of Rhosneigr. The BGS officially recorded the tremor at 7.55 am on Sunday, November 2, noting it occurred at a depth of 17 kilometres. The survey confirmed it had received no reports of the earthquake being felt or causing any impact on land.
A Pattern of Seismic Activity in Northwest Wales
This recent event is not an isolated occurrence. Northwest Wales is known for a high level of seismicity. In July, a smaller 0.2-magnitude tremor was detected 9.9 miles (16km) north east of Amlwch on Anglesey. The following month, August, saw a more noticeable 1.6 magnitude earthquake hit the village of Llwyndyrus on the Llŷn Peninsula.
Looking further afield, a 0.7 magnitude tremor was recorded just two months ago in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park at Llangyndir. The county of Powys has been particularly active, with at least six tremors recorded there in the last three months alone.
The Scientific Link to Solar Activity
For decades, scientists have been investigating potential connections between solar activity and seismic events on Earth. This research has gained fresh relevance following a recent succession of powerful solar flares that created a massive "cannibal" geomagnetic storm, one of the largest in the past 20 years.
One theory suggests that such geomagnetic storms increase pressure on Earth's magnetosphere. This pressure could lead to a compression of the planet's surface, potentially triggering earthquakes along tectonic plate boundaries. While a direct, proven link is yet to be established, researchers hope that analysing solar activity could one day aid in predicting when earthquakes might occur.
A 2022 Japanese study found a possible causal link between sunspot activity and seismic patterns. A follow-up study published this year proposed that solar heating of the Earth's surface might subtly affect rock properties and the movement of underground water, thereby playing a minor role in earthquake activity. Although solar influence is far from being a primary cause of earthquakes, incorporating this data into Earth temperature models may help improve the accuracy of future forecasts.
