Jarðskjálftar á Íslandi árið 1953

Abstract

The seismic activity was relatively low in Iceland during this year. No large shock occurred, and no damage was done by earthquakes. The largest shock came on February 10th, with epicenter off the north coast (about 66°40'N, 17°0'W), origin time l ^ e ^ S l 8 GMT, and instrumental magnitude about 4%. This shock was felt over a wide area, up to a distance of about 150 km from the epicenter, but the intensity was low, maximum IV degrees (Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale of 1931). On August 20t h to 22nd came a swarm of small shocks originating at Mt Hengill (about 64°05'N,21°16'W). The largest shock of this swarm, at 13Mlm on 20th was felt at Reykjavík (30—35 km distance), and in Hveragerði and Hveradalir many shocks were felt with the maximum intensity of about V degrees. In Reykjavík, the seismometers recorded more than 120 shocks during this swarm. Earthquakes were felt on 14 days during the year, and sometimes more than one shock were felt on the same day. On seven days, earthquakes were felt in Southwest-Iceland, six days in North- or Northeast-Iceland, and one small shock (somewhat doubtful) was felt in Northwest-Iceland.