A Canadian seismologist mentioned the three.9 magnitude earthquake that hit the Banff, Alta., space on Saturday night was commonplace however was extra noticeable than what’s often skilled there.
“It’s a good earthquake for that space,” Taimi Mulder, an earthquake seismologist with the Geological Survey of Canada, mentioned.
“There’s a few earthquakes a yr alongside the Rocky Mountains, and this isn’t uncommon to have an earthquake, nevertheless it actually is a bit bigger one than we usually get within the Rockies.”
The earthquake, which occurred at 6:33 p.m. MT and was additionally felt in Canmore, was acknowledged at a 3.9 magnitude by Canadian officers. It was additionally reported as 4.4 magnitude by the US Geological Survey.
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Earthquake hits Banff area: ‘It was like an explosion’
Canada makes use of a distinct set of seismic stations which can be nearer to the city, offering a extra correct quantity, Mulder mentioned.
“We are going to get completely different magnitude estimates,” she mentioned. “Ours are extra correct as a result of they’re nearer.”
The city of Banff mentioned on social media Saturday night that there was no important harm reported in relation to the quake.
Mulder mentioned that the earthquake was thought-about “shallow.”
“That is nonetheless labeled as a light-weight earthquake on the earth of earthquake seismology,” she mentioned, however added it was nonetheless probably noticeable to residents. “A magnitude 4 is 10 occasions extra shaking, extra floor displacement than a magnitude three.
“It’s massive sufficient to be felt. Most individuals felt a giant bang or a rattle.”
Mulder added that earthquakes in mountain areas are widespread.
“The place there are mountains, you will have tectonic exercise — that’s how the mountains have been constructed,” Mulder mentioned. “So having earthquakes in mountainous areas is quite common.”
Alberta skilled 605 earthquakes between 1985 and 2011 — in comparison with simply 41 in Saskatchewan throughout the identical time.
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