second earthquake in Iceland today (earlier one was 6.1 mag)

[eShirl]

Second earthquake follows In Iceland
By Thorleifur Petursson on May 29, 2008 in Iceland, MBL | comments(1)

Second but smaller quake followed the bigger earthquake and among other things interrupted a news interview where viewers can see how shaken people are and that when the smaller quake strikes it disturbs both the reporter and the woman being interviewed.

According to latest news the damage is much more than in the year 2000, this is due to the fact that this quakes epi-center is much closer to major towns in southern Iceland like Selfoss and Hveragerdi.

Selfoss hospital and homes for the elderlly have been cleared and people are starting to put up tents in their gardens and are afraid to go back to their houses.

The loss in 2000 was estimated around 2,5 billion ISK and over 50 houses got damaged, the extend of the damage now is far more but still not clear.

http://www.icenews.is/


edit: removed link that wasn't working

[eShirl]

1. Iceland channel 2 correspondent reports to CNN on aftermath of quake activity

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2008/05/29/bpr.iceland.quake.tynes.cnn?iref=videosearch

[eShirl]

2. Iceland Review: Earthquake in Iceland caused great damage

29/05/2008 | 20:17

Earthquake in Iceland caused great damage

The earthquake in Southern Iceland at 15.45 on Thursday afternoon caused damage to houses and furniture in many villages in the area. In many places cracks can be found in roads and the bridge over Ölfusá river between Thorlákshöfn and Eyrarbakki was closed for a few hours.

The earthquake which is estimated to be more than 6.1 on the Richter scale probably originated between Hveragerdi and Selfoss, approximately 50 kilometers from Reykjavík. The quake shook houses in the vicinity so strongly that pictures fell off the walls, TV sets turned over, book cases fell over and porcelain broke to pieces. Many residents were in shock but so far reports have now revealed serious injuries to people. However, some farmhouses were badly hit and sheep and other cattle were killed in at least one farm when the roof caved in.

Many residents in the villages of Hveragerdi, Selfoss, Thorlákshöfn, Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri have described the scene at their homes as if a bomb had exploded. However, even though cracks have been found in walls of many buildings, no reports have been filed of residential buildings structures that have been seriously damaged. Police have advised people to stay outside. Those who have the chance to stay with relatives or friends outside the earthquake area for the night should do so.

The quake has brought back memories from the year 2000 when two earthquakes of about 6.5 on the Richter scale shook the southern part of Iceland. Residents say that even though this quake was not as strong as the quakes in 2000, it originated so close to the densely populated area that the damage was far greater.

more http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat_id=16539&ew_0_a_id=306860