Earthquake Risk in Northern Ireland: Not Immune

It is incorrect to say Northern Ireland is unlikely to have a major earthquake. While not on a plate boundary, it is not immune:

• Historical events: 1843 (Comber, Co. Down, ~M3.5), 2013 (English Channel, felt in NI), 2022 (Isle of Man, felt in NI).
• Geology: Intraplate stresses reactivate ancient faults (e.g., Highland Boundary Fault extension).
• Monitoring: British Geological Survey detects ~200–300 UK quakes yearly; most < M2.0, but M4+ occur occasionally.
• Risk level: Low compared to Japan or California, but non-zero. Building codes don't mandate high seismic resilience.

Major quakes are rare, not impossible. Preparedness (securing furniture, knowing "Drop, Cover, Hold On") is prudent.