A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit Iceland yesterday, causing 20 injuries but "fairly light" structural damage, according to information released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Risk Management Solutions (RMS).

The USGS reported the earthquake's epicenter towards the southwest portion of Iceland, east of Reykjavik. RMS, citing the USGS, said there was "strong to very strong shaking in the epicenter region, with the potential of light to moderate damage."

Twenty people were injured at Selfoss, the largest town in the epicenter, the USGS said. RMS noted that the town has a population of about 6,000. Additionally, RMS said reports indicate "considerable contents damage to homes in Hveragerdi, Selfoss, Thorlakshfn, Eyrarbakki, and Stokkseyri."

Jackie Barber, spokesperson for RMS, said, "We are monitoring the situation carefully, but at this stage it looks unlikely that the earthquake damage will be significant enough for us to issue an insured loss estimate."

Neena Saith, catastrophe response manager at RMS in London, said in a statement, "Preliminary reports suggest that structural damage seems to be fairly light, mainly consisting of cracked walls, although one farm house appears to have collapsed. Some residents were injured during the earthquake, but no fatalities have been reported."

Ms. Saith added that in 2000, Iceland experienced two earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.5 and 6.1. She noted that those earthquakes occurred in less populated areas than the recent event, and resulted in insured damages of $15 million and $9 million respectively.

Special Reports /

Iceland Quake Unlikely to Cause Significant Insured Damages

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