Since 1982, the British Geological Survey (BGS) has been instrumental in making the council, residents and central government aware of the ground stability problems that affect parts of Ripon.

The BGS are aware that the Auction Mart site, North Road, Ripon, is the subject of a planning application. Last year (21 November 2011) the BGS were offered copies of the site investigation information and are on record in the reply as having stated that:

'This part of Ripon is particularly problematical and very difficult to investigate and interpret, it may be a challenge to develop and some of the site may be too dangerous to build on.'

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Following recent observations of solar activity there is an increased risk of a geomagnetic storm from 24-JAN-2012 to 25-JAN-2012.

An energetic M-class solar flare erupted on the Sun earlier today. This was associated with a coronal mass ejections (CME) that is expected to arrive at Earth tomorrow.

There is an increased chance of viewing the aurora during local night time hours assuming dark and clear skies, though this is dependent on the configuration of the interplanetary magnetic field embedded in the solar wind.

For updates and further information go to BGS Geomagnetism or for tips on Viewing the Northern Lights in the UK

The BGS has received information from the Media, the Police and several residents in towns and villages in Northumberland and Tyne & Wear, who reported that they felt an event sometime around 15:15 UTC today. Reports described 'the front door shook and the letterbox flapped', 'felt a very heavy rumble as if a heavy lorry had passed' and 'vibration lasted for around 5 seconds with a rumbling noise'.

Data from the BGS seismic networks in the region were examined and signals consistent with a possible sonic origin were recorded at around 15:13/15:14 UTC on several stations. The observations received are similar to those which have been received previously for sonic boom. RAF Kinloss were contacted and have advised that there were two military jets on exercise in the area at the time.

The British Geological Survey is undertaking a new project to establish the baseline of methane levels in groundwater throughout the UK. Evidence from the USA has shown very high methane concentrations in groundwater in areas of shale gas exploitation, which have been directly related to shale gas operations. However there is considerable uncertainty as to the source of methane, its migration pathways and transport processes, and crucially there is no baseline data on methane concentrations in groundwater from before the onset of shale gas exploitation.

In the UK, the BGS are therefore establishing a baseline for methane in groundwater in different aquifers before shale gas development gets underway, against which future environmental impacts can be assessed and appropriate management decisions taken.

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Depth 3.7 km; Lat/Long 50.482° North,4.82° West; BGS have received reports from St Austell and Liskeard, Cornwall of a felt event this morning at around 02:40 UTC. Onr reports described this was a very differnet more physical sound and rumble than the usual blasting from the clay mines .