The Warwick Earthquake of 23rd September 2000
was just one of many tremors to have affected
central England during its long geological history.
Geological maps and records at the Warwickshire
Museum show that the County is crossed by
a number of major geological faults - deep
fractures in the underlying bedrock. Many of the
faults were formed by ancient earthquakes,
dating back hundreds of millions of years.
There is no evidence or reason to suggest that tremors are
becoming more frequent in central England. Most are caused
by tiny amounts of movement on the ancient faults, deep below the Earth's surface. | The epicentre of the 2000 Warwick Earthquake was at Budbrooke, just west of the town. 13 kilometres down, within the Earth's crust, a tiny movement caused shockwaves to spread upwards and outwards. The earthquake measured 4.2 on the Richter Scale and caused little damage. Warwickshire residents also felt the effects of the September 2002 Dudley Earthquake. This was slightly more powerful, at 4.8 on the Richter Scale.
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In parts of southern and eastern Warwickshire,
strangely broken-up limestone beds have been
discovered, dating back to the Triassic Period.
These resemble a sort of 'puddingstone'.
It is possible that 210 million years ago, a powerful
earthquake shook up a limestone sea-bed
into a sort of muddy porridge. | 
'Puddingstone' at Southam Cement Works quarry. Perhaps formed by an earthquake over 200 million years ago. The ruler is 15 cms long and provides scale. |