GastroShark

Map showing every tremor that day (large earthquakes as stars)My first earthquake - what an excitement! I had always imagined my first to be nothing more than a slight rumble, as Reykjavik often has very small earthquakes which are barely noticeable. But the one that hit Iceland on Thursday was different. I was at work when it struck, the epicentre being near Selfoss in south Iceland, about 1.5 hours drive away.

The scary thing about earthquakes is that you never know when they happen or how big they are. But I was rather pleased when the walls of the office started shaking - finally my first earthquake! The pleasure soon turned to terror as the office kept on shaking and images of the ceiling collapsing sprang to mind (I grew up in an old house where collapsing ceilings were a common hazard). So I hid under my desk til my boss came out and started laughing - apparently seeking shelter under an Ikea desk is no protection from falling iron girders!

Damage to Selfoss consisted of cracked walls and every shelf being emptied of its contents, but Reykjavik got off scot-free. Except for a little candle holder which fell off my TV at home, which is the only evidence I have of that most unusual Thursday afternoon..... 

Have a look at the earthquake's full power in a bar in Selfoss here.