Iceland: Magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurs near Reykjavik March 14

Event

A magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurred in the North Atlantic Ocean off southwestern Iceland at around 14:15 March 14. The epicenter was about 20 km (12 miles) southwest of Reykjavik. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light-to-moderate shaking was probably felt in the Southern Peninsula and Capital regions near the epicenter; weak-to-light shaking likely occurred throughout the rest of western Iceland. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days.

Officials could temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.