State of uncertainty declared in North Iceland because of earthquakes
April 2, 2013 – ICELAND - The Civil Protection office of the National Commissioner in Iceland has declared a State of Uncertainty in North Iceland because of a series of earthquakes. The first earthquake came around one o'clock last night (GMT) and the quake was measured to be5.5 points in magnitude. The earthquake originated East of Grimsey Island. Another earthquake came shortly after, and it was measured to be 4.3 points in magnitude. The State of Uncertainty means increased surveillance with events, because at later stages the safety of people in the area might be compromised. To declare a State of Uncertainty is part of regular procedure at the Civil Protection in Iceland, to insure formal communications and flow of information between emergency teams. According to Sigthrudur Armannsdottir, scientist at the Icelandic Meteorology Office, it is expected that the earthquakes will continue and their effects might be felt on mainland Iceland. These earthquakes do not come as a surprise to the scientists. There is nothing that indicates that an eruption will begin. The earthquake last night is one of the largest for quite some time, but an earthquake of 7 in magnitude happened in the same area roughly one century ago. But an earthquake of 5 in magnitude happened last in 2002, in that area. –
