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WWII device at heart of Channel Islands "earthquake"

WWII device at heart of Channel Islands

Thursday 27 July 2023

WWII device at heart of Channel Islands "earthquake"

Thursday 27 July 2023


An unexploded WWII device being detonated in Guernsey has set off earthquake data recorders across Europe.

The Channel Islands were recorded as having experienced seismic activity at around 09:14 today.

The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre confirmed that seismic activity was recorded in the Channel Islands region at a depth of 1km, and a distance of 6km north of St. Peter Port and 47km north west of St. Helier.

Data recorded by the Laboratoire de Detection et de Geophysique, France shows the 'earthquake' occurred at a Latitude of 49.51 and a Longitude of -2.52.

This data was recorded at a local time of 10:14:38.8 on 27 July, 2023.

More than an hour later Guernsey Police confirmed "At 10:15 this morning, some unexploded ordnance was detonated at sea with the assistance of the Royal Navy and Guernsey Harbours."

At_sea_det_2.jpg bomb not earthquake July 27 2023

Pictured: The above WW2 bomb was detonated today, setting off seismic activity in the Channel.

The police statement said: "It was believed to be a German-made SC250 bomb, which was an airdropped weapon during the Second World War. It was found and identified underwater by a local diver, and arrangements have since been made to destroy it.

"Guernsey Harbours were contacted in advance to warn boat owners and ensure the area was made safe for the detonation. We'd like to thank them and the Royal Navy for their assistance."

No public announcement was made in advance of the detonation with people in the north of Guernsey feeling what they thought was an earthquake tremor.

A testimony sent to the EMSC by someone in Guernsey reads: "Shook body on sofa and made ceiling creak".

A resident south of the Bridge also felt a "rumble".

earthquake 27 July 2023

Pictured: The 'seismic activity'.

Regardless of the source of the activity, the information has been recorded in a list of seismic data collated today which includes "near the south coast of France" at 09:17:10.3 UTC which would be 10:17 here. 

There have also been other reports of seismic activity in Honduras, Nicaragua, Turkey and El Salvador.

The detonation currently remains listed as seismic activity on European records. 

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