An earthquake measuring 5.5 hit 14 kilometers east of the island Grímsey, North Iceland, around 1 am last night and another of 4.1 magnitude followed shortly afterwards. More than 60 aftershocks were measured in the area until 3 am.
Grimsey. Photo: Páll Stefánsson/Iceland Review.
According to ruv.is, it is the strongest earthquake to hit the region since 2002 and many islanders woke up when it hit.
The first earthquake could be felt all the way from Sauðárkrókur in the northwest to Raufarhöfn in the northeast, visir.is reports.
After 3 am the seismic activity subsided. However, the civil protection department expects it to resume and be felt on the mainland.
According to the Icelandic Met Office, the epicenter of the large earthquakes lies in an area known for seismic activity and they were not considered out of the ordinary. There are no indications of any volcanic activity in the area.
Related:
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25.01.2013 | Earthquake Hits Reykjanes, Shakes Reykjavík
14.01.2013 | One Thousand Earthquakes in One Month in Iceland
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