On April 6, 1580, a powerful earthquake struck the Dover Straits, marking one of the most significant seismic events in British history. Known as the 1580 Dover Straits earthquake, it occurred around 6 p.m. and had an estimated magnitude of 5.8 on the modern Richter scale.
The epicenter was located in the English Channel, near the town of Dover, but the effects were felt across a broad area, including London and parts of northern France. In England, the quake caused considerable alarm, as such seismic activity was (and still is) relatively rare. Buildings in London suffered damage, chimneys collapsed, and church spires cracked. Contemporary accounts describe people fleeing into the streets in panic.
In France, particularly around Calais and Lille, damage was also reported. The earthquake is believed to have caused a number of deaths, though exact figures remain unclear due to the sparse historical records.
The 1580 earthquake left a strong cultural impression, referenced in literature and poetry of the time. It reminded people of the earth’s unpredictable power, especially in a region unaccustomed to such natural forces. Today, the event remains a fascinating subject for historians and seismologists alike, illustrating that even geologically quiet regions can experience sudden and significant tremors.