Earthquake in Iceland

Iceland rocked by earthquake

An earthquake shook southern Iceland on Thursday, reportedly causing injuries and damaging roads and buildings.

A seismograph at the Institute of the Earth Sciences, University of Iceland, shows earthquake activity.

The 6.1 magnitude temblor struck about 3:46 p.m. (11:46 a.m. ET), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Its epicenter was about 50 km (31 miles) east-southeast of the capital, Reykjavik, and was about 10 km (6.2 miles) below the Earth's surface.

It was unclear exactly how many people were injured or the severity of their injuries, Olli Tynes, a journalist with Reykjavik's Channel 2, told CNN.

A hospital in a town near the epicenter was also reported damaged, and some wings have had to be evacuated, he said.

There were no reports of fatalities, but "great material damage," Tynes said. Roads and bridges in the area have been closed.

The Associated Press, quoting civil defense authorities, reported 15 to 20 people from Selfoss, near the epicenter, were taken for medical treatment.

Iceland's emergency management agency has swung into action, and rescue crews were headed to the area most affected by the quake.

Tynes said he has been speaking to residents of the towns closest to the epicenter. "They said they thought the world was coming to an end," he said. "They thought they were going to die."

There have been no reports of homes collapsing, as most homes in Iceland are built to withstand earthquakes, he said.

Alti Mar Gylfason said he had received reports of damage to the road that rings the island nation. The quake was felt nationwide, he said.

"It was a little bit like you're sleeping in a waterbed, you know ... everything floats around," he said, adding that people poured out of buildings into the street. "This is not something we experience on a normal basis."

Although Iceland is seismically active, its last major quakes were on June 17 and June 21, 2000, with quakes of 6.5 and 6.4, respectively. The temblors damaged homes and buildings, but caused no serious injuries.

As I write this, I am hoping all of my friends in Iceland are alright. Since finishing my book, "Dragon, Book Of Shang", I have a special place in my heart for Iceland. Peace and safety to all in Iceland.

Love & Peace Iceland,

Bobby Sharpe Bobbysharpe3.blogspot.com

Hello, Iceland Calling

Blue Lagoon geo-thermal spa

Learn Some Lessons – “(Iceland) lacks coal reserves, and is endowed with massive glaciers, which produce huge volumes of water that can be harnessed to generate electricity. It also happens to sit atop a rift in the earth's crust that keeps significant reservoirs of heat bubbling near the surface. To a large degree, it is the polar opposite of the United States. Yet we—and other developed nations—can learn some valuable lessons from Iceland about what happens when a society commits to the systematic development of renewable energy.”–

Daniel Gross, Newsweek, April 14, 2008

Praise from RFK, Jr. – “Iceland was 80 percent dependent on imported coal and oil in the 1970s and was among the poorest economies in Europe. Today, Iceland is 100 percent energy-independent, with 90 percent of the nation’s homes heated by geothermal and its remaining electrical needs met by hydro. “The International Monetary Fund now ranks Iceland the fourth most affluent nation on earth. The country, which previously had to beg for corporate investment, now has companies lined up to relocate there to take advantage of its low-cost clean energy.” –

Robert F, Kennedy, Jr., “The Next President’s First Task, Vanity Fair, May 2008

Is anybody out there listening? Just reading the two above statements should be a wake up call for anyone with a brain. Especially with the way the economy is today. Mainly the oil crisis! Come on people, let's turn our country around and start moving forward again.

Iceland and Common Sense Rule,

Bobby Sharpe Dragon, Book of Shang Amazon.com: Dragon: Book of Shang: Books: Bobby Sharpe