An earth tremor measuring 4.7 on the Richter Scale has been felt across a wide area of the southeastern English county of Kent, and in some neighbouring counties.
Several thousand homes were without power for several hours following what is being described as a moderate earthquake.
The British Geological Survey confirmed the magnitude and said it was the most powerful in Britain in five years.
The epicentre was seven and a half miles off the coast of Dover.
Some houses are thought to have slid and the Kent Fire Brigade has said it has received calls from people saying their chimneys had fallen down and that large cracks had appeared in houses.
There are no reports of injuries.
