M5.2 earthquake rattles Iceland, strongest since 2013

Yahoo
Thu, 12 Mar 2020 12:00 UTC

© Golli

Reykjanes peninsula

A magnitude-5.2 earthquake has rattled southwestern Iceland, the Icelandic Met Office says.

There were no immediate reports of any damage or injuries.

The earthquake was the largest to hit the Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of the capital, since 2013.

The Met Office has recorded a lot of seismic activity there in recent weeks.

The epicentre was about 3.6 kilometres north of the small settlement of Grindavik.

The activity has been attributed to possible accumulation of magma on the peninsula, also resulting in a land rise.

There was no indication of whether the earthquake was a precursor of a possible eruption, which experts have said could result in a lava flow.

Public broadcaster RUV reported that the quake was also felt in Reykjavik.

Iceland's main international airport is located on the peninsula.

Comment: Iceland review reports:

Vísir also spoke to Njarðvík resident Karl Ottesen: "I was sitting on the sofa and everything kind of rippled." Karl told reporter Kolbeinn Tumi Daðason that his daughter, who also lives in the area, had "never felt such a powerful tremor in the region."

Just a few weeks ago visitors were warned to stay away from Iceland's Eldvörp caves due to the presence of deadly gases.