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Strong earthquake rocks Iceland | Strong earthquake rocks Iceland |
(10 minutes later) | |
A strong earthquake measuring 6.1 has hit southern Iceland, 50km (30 miles) from the capital, Reykjavik. | A strong earthquake measuring 6.1 has hit southern Iceland, 50km (30 miles) from the capital, Reykjavik. |
Residents in the capital felt buildings shake, but it is not yet clear if there were any injuries. | Residents in the capital felt buildings shake, but it is not yet clear if there were any injuries. |
In the nearby town of Selfoss buildings are reported to have been damaged and residents have poured onto the streets in panic. | In the nearby town of Selfoss buildings are reported to have been damaged and residents have poured onto the streets in panic. |
The US Geological Survey said the earthquake struck at 1546 GMT at a shallow 6.2 miles (10 km). | The US Geological Survey said the earthquake struck at 1546 GMT at a shallow 6.2 miles (10 km). |
Paul Enarson, Professor of Geophysics at the Institute of Earth Sciences in Iceland, told the BBC that the earthquake happened in an area popular with tourists: | Paul Enarson, Professor of Geophysics at the Institute of Earth Sciences in Iceland, told the BBC that the earthquake happened in an area popular with tourists: |
"It was close to the town of Selfoss and there is apparently, according to the preliminary news, considerable damage in that town," he said. | "It was close to the town of Selfoss and there is apparently, according to the preliminary news, considerable damage in that town," he said. |
"Iceland is sitting on a plate boundary where the North America and Eurasian plates are drifting apart. So it's a country of volcanoes and earthquakes and so earthquakes are common but large earthquakes are relatively rare," he added. | "Iceland is sitting on a plate boundary where the North America and Eurasian plates are drifting apart. So it's a country of volcanoes and earthquakes and so earthquakes are common but large earthquakes are relatively rare," he added. |
"The glass in the windows shook and everybody was just really scared," Audbjorg Olafsdottir, an economist in Reykjavik, told Reuters news agency. | |
"In Selfoss, where it happened, I heard everything is broken and people are standing outside in the street and everybody is terrified," she added. | |
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the earthquake? Send your comments using the post form below: | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the earthquake? Send your comments using the post form below: |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |