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

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

Twenty people were injured at Selfoss, the largest town in theepicenter, the USGS said. RMS noted that the town has a populationof 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 monitoringthe situation carefully, but at this stage it looks unlikely thatthe earthquake damage will be significant enough for us to issue aninsured loss estimate."

Neena Saith, catastrophe response manager at RMS in London, saidin a statement, "Preliminary reports suggest that structural damageseems to be fairly light, mainly consisting of cracked walls,although one farm house appears to have collapsed. Some residentswere injured during the earthquake, but no fatalities have beenreported."

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