Magnitude 4.1 quake jolts Tacloban

MANILA, Philippines - A magnitude 4.1 earthquake rocked Tacloban City in Leyte yesterday but there were no reports of damage or injuries, state seismologists said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the tremor struck at 8:27 a.m. with its epicenter traced 54 kilometers northwest of Tacloban where it was slightly felt at Intensity 2.

Based on the Phivolcs’ Earthquake Intensity Scale, an Intensity 2 quake is “felt by a few individuals at rest indoors. Hanging objects swing slightly. Still water in containers oscillates noticeably.”

The tremor, which was tectonic in origin, had a depth of one kilometer and originated from the Leyte segment of the Philippine Fault Zone, Phivolcs said.

Tectonic pertains to the structure or movement of the Earth’s crust.

Magnitude refers to the size or seismic energy of the earthquake, while intensity is a measure of the strength of shaking experienced during an earthquake, according to the US Geological Survey website.

The Philippines lies in the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire” where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions frequently occur.

Phivolcs said about 20 quakes hit the country every day but only a few are felt.