Park earthquake history

Review documented seismic events with their associated epicentre distances, recorded magnitudes, and depth data.

Historical Catalogue of Recorded Earthquakes and Seismic Activity Near Colne Estuary

This collection presents a browsable historical catalogue of recorded earthquake events that have occurred in the proximity of Colne Estuary. Each entry provides context regarding the timing, depth, and magnitude of seismic activity logged within the broader coastal Essex geography. The records are associated by distance from the protected area, providing a transparent view of the regional seismic history without assessing local hazard or future potential.

Related tags

estuarycoastal wetlandsaltmarshmudflatsshingle coast

Explore Colne Estuary

A Ramsar-designated tidal estuary on the Essex coast protecting saltmarsh, mudflats and internationally important wildfowl populations.

Colne Estuary

Colne Estuary is a large biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest stretching along the Essex coast of eastern England, near the town of Brightlingsea. Covering roughly 2,915 hectares, the site protects a complex mosaic of tidal habitats where the River Colne meets the North Sea, including extensive saltmarsh, intertidal mudflats, shingle spits, and former gravel pits that have transitioned into important wetland habitats. The estuary sits within one of the most heavily layered protected-area frameworks in Britain, carrying national nature conservation, international wetland, and European wildlife designations alongside its SSSI status. It is most notable for the very large numbers of migratory and wintering waterbirds that rely on its saltmarshes and mudflats, especially dark-bellied brent geese and black-tailed godwits, while also supporting rare plant communities, rich invertebrate assemblages, and Pleistocene geological exposures. Beyond its ecological importance, Colne Estuary also contributes to scientific research into past interglacial climates through peat and sedimentary deposits along the marsh edge, making it a site of both living biodiversity and significant geological record.

Location: United Kingdom
Park type: Nature reserve
Established: 1989
Area: 29.2 km²

Colne Estuary Nature Reserve Geography

Measure source-reported epicentre distance from a water-dominated coast, wetland and marsh

Trace earthquake observations around the Colne Estuary

Explore earthquake records around Colne Estuary, officially Colne Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest, a 29.152 km² mixed lowland area dominated by water across coast, wetland and marsh; compare reported date, magnitude, depth, locality and boundary distance. Proximity does not confirm site occurrence, tidal or wetland effects, present hazard, cause or future events.

Magnitude

Location

This page describes catalogued earthquakes associated with the park by epicentre location and distance. It does not establish causation, assess current danger, or predict future earthquakes.

No earthquake records match the current filters

Park atlas

Broaden atlas discovery beyond Colne Estuary earthquake history

Explore further protected parks after the Colne Estuary records

After exploring its Essex saltmarsh, mudflats, and wildfowl habitat, browse a distinct group of protected destinations. The cards do not imply common estuarine ecology, protection status, seismic record, geology, proximity, or documentation.

A soft watercolor illustration showing rolling green hills and wetlands against a light, pale sky.

Nature reserveEssex

1.8 km away#1 closest

West

Abberton Reservoir: Mapped Landscape and Protected Area Context in Essex, England

Freshwater reservoir, wetland, and historic site

Abberton Reservoir stands as a landmark of regional geography in Essex. This entry maps the site's transition from an engineered water-supply facility to a mosaic of reedbeds, marshes, and open water, providing essential habitat for migratory wildfowl and wintering bird populations.

Area: 7 km²
Established: 1939
Relief: Lowland
Climate: Temperate

Abberton Reservoir Nature Reserve Map

Marine protected areaEssex

About 6.2 km away#2 closest

South

Blackwater, Crouch, Roach and Colne Estuaries Marine Conservation Zone Geography and Map

A comprehensive look at England's largest inshore marine protected area.

Covering 284 square kilometers of the Essex coast, this marine conservation zone integrates four tidal estuaries and North Sea coastal frontage into a single protected system. Recognized for its unique native oyster beds and vast intertidal mudflats, the area provides essential habitat for waterfowl. Explore the mapped terrain and overlapping conservation boundaries that define this vital estuarine landscape.

Area: 284 km²
Relief: Lowland
Climate: Temperate
Scope: Marine

Explore the Blackwater, Crouch, Roach and Colne Estuaries Marine Conservation Zone

Nature reserveSuffolk

About 32 km away#3 closest

Northeast

Martlesham Wilds Nature Reserve: Suffolk Wetland and Protected Landscape Geography

Examining the ecological corridor along the River Deben estuary

Martlesham Wilds represents a significant lowland rewilding effort in eastern England. The 117 hectare reserve, managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, creates a vital connection between ancient woodlands, tidal marshes, and freshwater wetland scrapes. Explore the geographic layout and protected boundaries of this developing sanctuary on the Deben Estuary.

Area: 1.17 km²
Established: 2023
Relief: Lowland
Climate: Temperate

Martlesham Wilds Nature Reserve Map and Geography

Watercolor painting showing grassy wetlands and distant hills with a sunset sky

National parkUnited Kingdom

73 km away#4 closest

Northeast

The Broads National Park: Wetland Landscape, Rivers, and Regional Geography Atlas

Explore mapped waterways and protected reedbed ecosystems.

The Broads National Park offers a singular protected wetland landscape with over 200 kilometers of navigable waterways across its numerous shallow lakes, or 'broads.' Shaped by medieval peat excavations and natural processes, this area presents a unique geography of reedbeds and grazing marshes, punctuated by historic windmills. Discover the mapped extent of this protected landscape, its river systems, and its vital role in regional geography through structured atlas data.

Area: 303 km²
Established: 1989
IUCN: V
Relief: Lowland

The Broads National Park Landscape

Nature reserveSurrey

About 107 km away#5 closest

West

Wraysbury Reservoir: An Engineered Nature Reserve and Vital Wetland Habitat in Surrey

Examining infrastructure, ecology, and sonar testing geography.

Wraysbury Reservoir stands as a unique example of late-twentieth-century industrial landscape design, serving as both a primary London water resource and a protected Ramsar wetland. Its earthen embankments enclose a specialized environment where sonar research and ecological conservation coexist within the wider context of the Thames Valley. This record details the site's boundaries, its function as a wintering bird refuge, and its specialized role in UK marine testing.

Area: 2.05 km²
Established: 1970
Relief: Lowland
Climate: Temperate

Wraysbury Reservoir Protected Area and Geography

A horizontal watercolor painting showing a soft coastal scene with rolling dunes, sparse grasses, and a calm shoreline under a light sky.

Nature reservePas-de-Calais

108 km away#6 closest

Southeast

Réserve naturelle nationale du Platier d'Oye: Protected Coastal Landscape and Wetland Geography

Coastal dunes and migratory bird habitats in Pas-de-Calais

Located along the Opal Coast, the Réserve naturelle nationale du Platier d'Oye represents a complex mosaic of tidal flats, mobile sand dunes, and humid polder meadows. This protected area offers unique insight into the ecological intersection of maritime forces and terrestrial environments, functioning as a primary staging ground for diverse migratory species within the Hauts-de-France coastal region.

Area: 3.91 km²
Established: 1987
IUCN: IV
Relief: Lowland

Réserve naturelle nationale du Platier d'Oye Protected Area

A horizontal watercolor painting showing a soft landscape with green vegetation, pink accents, and a winding body of water leading towards distant hills.

Nature reserveFrance

About 109 km away#7 closest

Southeast

Réserve naturelle régionale du mont de Couple: Protected Chalk Escarpment and Coastal Viewpoint

A limestone ridge sanctuary in the northern French Boulonnais region

Spanning a rare chalk cuesta in northern France, this protected area balances ecological conservation with distinct geological features. The reserve provides critical habitat for orchids and protected flora while serving as a strategic viewpoint across the Straits of Dover and the surrounding Opal Coast terrain.

Area: 0.136 km²
Established: 1997
Relief: Upland
Climate: Temperate

Explore Réserve naturelle régionale du mont de Couple

Nature reserveHauts-de-France

About 113 km away#8 closest

Southeast

Réserve naturelle régionale de la forteresse de Mimoyecques: Regional Nature Reserve Geography

Protected subterranean habitat and wartime heritage in Hauts-de-France.

Located in the rolling lowlands of the Pas-de-Calais, the Réserve naturelle régionale de la forteresse de Mimoyecques is a uniquely managed protected area. Its landscape integrates historical military architecture with modern biodiversity conservation, focusing on the protection of rare underground roosting environments for diverse bat species within the regional Hauts-de-France terrain.

Area: 0.016 km²
Established: 2012
Relief: Lowland
Climate: Temperate

Réserve naturelle régionale de la forteresse de Mimoyecques Protected Area

MoriAtlas Explorer

Trace the Protected Boundaries and Natural Landscapes of Colne Estuary

Gain insight into the expansive saltmarsh and mudflat habitats defining the Colne Estuary. Use MoriAtlas to examine the geographic distribution of this Essex nature reserve and its connections to the wider North Sea coastal environment through detailed map-based discovery.

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Colne Estuary Nature Reserve Geography

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