Centrally located and far away from pressure ridges, the Prince Albert area is at an exceedingly low risk from an earthquake. (File photo/The Canadian Press)

By Ronald Quaroni

In the wake of the quake

Prince Albert “exceedingly low risk” of earthquakes

Mar 5, 2019 | 12:00 PM

Prince Albert residents can rest assured that we stand on solid ground.

A 4.6 magnitude earthquake located 20 km west of Red Deer, Alberta gave folks in the community a rude awakening Monday morning.

Luckily no damage is being reported..

John Cassidy, an earthquake seismologist with the Geological Survey of Canada, has comforted Prince Albert residents with the knowledge that there is very little danger of an earthquake in the region.

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“It’s exceedingly rare, especially in central and northern (Sk.) and (the) Prince Albert area,” Cassidy explained. “In terms of earthquake hazard in Canada, where we have looked at the history of the regions, this is the lowest seismic hazard in Canada is right there.”

Cassidy added that the risk is not zero, anomalies do occur, but north-central Saskatchewan’s position on the Craton plate ensures we remain safe. Cassidy explained the Craton plate is made up on the oldest and hardest rocks on the earth.

Even in the southern area of the province, you have to go back over 100 years to find significant activity.

“Back in 1909, there was a magnitude 5.5 earthquake that was just across the border in Montana,” Cassidy told paNOW. “It was just south of the border but strongly felt in Sk.”

Cassidy said in all of Canada, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northern Ontario, are the regions least likely to experience seismic activity.

On the flip side, the most earthquake action takes place on the west coast of B.C.

–

ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

‘Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni