A school in Stranorlar was able to see the exact moment the earthquake hit Donegal.
St Columba’s College has been fitted with a seismometer to record earthquakes as part of a school project.
And in the early hours of this morning, the dial on the machine logged the ‘quake’ and wrote it into the history books!
Brendan O’Donoghue, science teacher at St Columba’s, said there was great excitement to see the earthquake recorded on their seismometer.
“We had a seismometer installed in the school in January 2010 and this is our first recording of an earthquake in Co Donegal.
“It is very exciting for us and the students. It brings geology to life, literally.
“We recorded the first signs of this mini earthquake around three minutes before 1am, spiking at 30 seconds past the hour.
“In 2009 before we had this equipment there were three similar earthquakes so it is possible Donegal could be hit by a few more in coming days or weeks. However they are unlikely to cause any damage.
“The school is part of an international project involving schools all around the world which measures tremors and earthquakes as part of a geology project,” he said.
Another school, St.Egney’s National School in Deserrtegney, Buncrana, also recorded the ‘quake on their seismometer which was supplied as part of a project being run by the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies.