Cornwall could experience aftershocks following yesterday's earthquake, according to an expert.

Dr Richard Luckett, a seismologist at the British Geological Survey (BGS), says it’s possible that there will be further small earthquakes in the county following the earth tremor near Falmouth.

Residents reported that they heard loud noises and that their windows shook after an earthquake that measured 2.2 on the Richter scale hit at about 4pm.

Dr Luckett, who has researched earthquakes for 20 years, said this one was relatively small but because it was closer to the earth’s surface than others of its size, more people felt the effects.

“They are very common,” he said. “We get about 20 to 30 magnitudes twos somewhere in the UK every year so when every few weeks.

“They are usually not felt when they are this small. This one was only 2km down, which isn't very deep. Usually they are about 5k down in the UK.

“Normally earthquakes with a magnitude of two would not be felt at the surface."

But this one certainly was. Residents across west Cornwall reported the event.

Steve Cowe, who lives near Culdrose said he initially thought an aircraft has crashed.

He added: "I used to live in Four Lanes - quite a few years ago now but we used to get lots of sonic booms from the concorde but this was much deeper and louder with more vibrating. It was like a double boom.

"We were sat in the living room watching TV and thought it was something crashed into the house or the side of the house, it was that kind of shake.

"In seconds everyone came out of their houses on the street or were looking out the windows."

The earthquake was confirmed this evening

What causes earthquakes

Earthquakes are caused by tectonic movements in the Earth's crust.

The sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground shake.

Explaining the process, Dr Luckett said: “The whole of the earth is under stress mainly caused by the plate boundaries. Our nearest plat boundary to the UK is a long way away but it still causes some stress in the UK.

“The earth is full of fractures and faults. We cannot be sure when this stress is going to make one of these small faults move.

“It’s a difficult one because we never know when one is going to go.”

Will there be more?

Quite possibly.

Dr Luckett added that further earthquakes are possible but that any aftershocks are likely to be quite minor, and you probably won’t feel them.

“Once we have had one you can get more,” he said.

“Probably not with a magnitude two but with a magnitude three you would feel the aftershocks.

“You may well get aftershocks with a magnitude two but they would be very small. I would say that it is very unlikely that we will get anymore that are felt.”

Earthquakes in the 1980s

Back in the 1980s, Cornwall experienced a series of earthquakes.

Asked if they tend to occur in the same location, Dr Luckett said: “It’s not totally random.

“One example some people in Cornwall may remember was in the early 1980s.

“There were lots and lots of earthquakes, a few of which were felt. That went on for weeks.”

Did you feel it?

The BGS wants to hear from anyone who felt the earthquake to record their experience.

Visit the website to fill in the feedback form .

Not linked to drilling

Earlier this year, drilling at the UK’s first geothermal power plant began at United Downs, Redruth.

The company behind the project, which aims to provide enough energy for 3,000 homes, says the drilling was not linked to the earthquake.

A spokesperson for the Geothermal Engineering told ITV News: “It's not physically possible that this is in any way connected to what's going on at United Downs. It's 14km away from the site of the earthquake and this area is known for small seismic geological events. The drilling stopped in June so there has been nothing happening on the site since then.”