RESIDENTS experienced tremors and a loud bang as an earthquake hit North Wales.

According to the British Geological Survey, the earthquake originated at just after 9.40pm last night (Monday, June 13).

Measured at a magnitude of 1.9 on the richter scale, the earthquake - which was recorded at a depth of 8km and was centered on Colwyn Bay - was felt as far as Anglesey and Bangor.

David Galloway, a seismologist for the British Geological Survey, said despite the UK not being based near the edge of a tectonic plate beneath the earth's crust, earthquakes are still possible due to movement of the plates.

He said: "We've had about 45, 50 reports from people across the region who felt it - typical reports are that it felt like a lorry crashed into the side of the house.

"Windows shook, objects rattled and there was a loud bang."

The earthquake was felt in Colwyn Bay, Betws-y-Coed and the Conwy Valley, Bangor, Llanberis, Caernarfon, Bethesda, Tregarth, Rhosgadfan and LLanllechid and in Llanfairpwllgwynyll, Llangefni and Menai Bridge.

In 1984 the Ll?n Peninsula experienced one of the UK's largest on shore earthquakes, measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale.