An area of Perthshire in Scotland has been hit by three earthquakes in minutes as the tremors leave houses shaking. Residents felt the tremors within 17 minutes of each other today as they feared "an explosion".

The first quake, measuring 3.3 magnitude, struck the hamlet of Pubil at 7:25am, according to the British Geological Survey. The epicentre was recorded at a depth of 3km near Loch Lyon in the Perth and Kinross region. Residents reported being woken by light shaking in their homes, with some hearing a "low rumbling sound" and doors rattling.

The area was then shaken by a 1.4 magnitude tremor at 7:31am, followed by a 1.2 magnitude quake 11 minutes later.

Observers living almost 50 miles away reported very weak shaking, highlighting the unusual reach of the initial tremor, according to the Volcano Discovery website, which tracks geological events globally.

The area was then shaken by a 1.4 magnitude tremor at 7:31am, followed by a 1.2 magnitude quake 11 minutes later. Observers living almost 50 miles away reported very weak shaking, according to the Volcano Discovery website, which tracks geological events globally.

Eyewitnesses described their confusion, with some initially thinking an explosion had occurred. Others reported homes shaking, with furniture moving and doors rattling as the tremors continued.

Earthquakes in the UK are relatively common, with 200-300 minor quakes occurring each year.

Most are too small to be felt, though 20-30 reach 2.0 magnitude or higher, noticeable across wider areas. Scotland, in particular, has experienced more than 4,000 earthquakes in the past 50 years, though few have had a significant impact on residents.

The largest recorded Scottish earthquake occurred near Loch Awe in 1880, reaching a magnitude of 5.2. Seismic activity in Scotland is largely attributed to glacial rebound.

Around 10,500 years ago, much of northern Britain was covered by a thick ice sheet, which compressed underlying rock. As the ice melted, the rocks have been slowly rising, causing occasional tremors.

Tectonic stresses from the Atlantic Ocean's expansion and the northward push of Africa into Europe also contribute to seismic activity in the UK.

The most damaging UK earthquake was in Colchester in 1884, when roughly 1,200 buildings were damaged, including collapsed chimneys and cracked walls.