By Paulo Loreto Lim

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), a minor earthquake was reported over the weekend, with the epicenter traced to waters just west of Siaton, Negros Oriental.

The 2.2-magnitude quake was recorded around 8:49 p.m. last Saturday.

The quake is the ninth tremor to strike Negros in recent weeks, with the two most recent occurring near Basay, also in Negros Oriental, last Friday. The first, measuring 2.2 in magnitude, was recorded off the town’s coast; and the second, a 3.1-magnitude event, struck the same area four minutes later.

As with previous incidents, Phivolcs did not report any damages nor do they expect aftershocks.

A 2.2-magnitude quake is often classified as a Level 1 on the Mercalli intensity scale, where very few even feel the tremor.

Among recent tremors, the largest struck near Sipalay City, Negros Occidental last week, measuring 4.0 in magnitude.

The United States Geological Survey notes 4.0-magnitude quakes are often considered a Level 4, where the tremor is more noticeable indoors, with a feeling similar to a heavy truck striking a building./PLL, WDJ