Another earthquake shook up the Midlands on Sunday; it was the fifth one this year in the area and was reported as a 2.2-magnitude earthquake just off Lake Murray near Pine Island, according to the United States Geological Survey.

All five earthquakes over the past three weeks were in the Lake Murray vicinity. 

The United States Geological Survey recorded a 2.8-magnitude earthquake on Feb. 13 around 6:45 p.m., a 2.0-magnitude earthquake on Feb. 15 just before midnight, a 1.8 magnitude earthquake on Feb. 16 just before 6:45 p.m., a 2.5-magnitude earthquake on Feb. 26 just after 12:15 p.m., and then the 2.2-magnitude earthquake happened on March 1 at about 1:55 p.m.

No damages or injuries were reported.

Earthquakes within the 2.0-3.0 magnitude range are unlikely to cause destruction, but feeling vibrations is possible. Magnitudes, felt from a seismometer, record an earthquake’s vibrations and the size of the earthquake. 

With this year’s local earthquakes centered around the Lake Murray area, some questioned the strength of the Lake Murray Dam, completed in 1930. The backup wall was built a couple of decades ago and is estimated to be able to withstand a 7.3 magnitude earthquake, according to the state geological survey.

The Department of Health and Environmental Services also rebuilt and reinvigorated the Dam Safety Program with funding from the state general assembly after the hurricanes of 2015 and 2016.