Natural disasters in Belgium

Belgium, like many other countries, is affected by natural disasters. The most recorded in their area is earthquakes. Examples of these are the

Dover Straits earthquake

Though severe earthquakes in the north of France and southern England are rare, the Dover Straits earthquake of 6 April 1580 appears to have been the largest in the recorded history of England, Flanders or northern France. It occurred about 6 o'clock in the evening.

Other earthquakes in Dover Staits

Two later quakes in the Dover Strait, in 1776 and 1950, were noted in the 1984 compilation by R.M.W. Musson, G. Neilson and P.W. Burton, none in the study occurring before 1727, but the same team devoted an article to the 1580 earthquake that year, the classic study.

In 2007, an earthquake estimated at a magnitude of 4.3 affected Kent around the Folkestone area at about 08:18 BST on the 28 April, causing damage to property and injuring at least one person. Reports suggest that the centre of the quake was about 6 kilometres off-shore and at a depth of at least 4 kilometres. The Channel Tunnel was unaffected.

If you are in the area and are in need of the emergency services you can call 101 or 112(cell)