By Melissa MacIntosh-Young, Staff Reporter
Residents in communities northeast of Edmonton experienced an unexpected jolt on the evening of April 1, as a minor earthquake struck near Gibbons and surrounding areas.
According to Earthquakes Canada, the quake occurred at approximately 5:27 p.m. local time and registered a magnitude of 4.5. The epicentre was located about 18 kilometres northeast of Morinville at a relatively shallow depth of five kilometres.
The tremor was lightly felt across several nearby communities, including Gibbons, Legal, Bon Accord, and even parts of Edmonton. Reports also indicated the shaking was noticed as far south as central Alberta and in more distant regions such as Whitecourt and Lesser Slave Lake.
Despite the wide area in which it was felt, there have been no reports of damage or injuries. Experts note that while earthquakes of this size are not common in the region, they are not entirely unusual. Alberta does experience occasional seismic activity, often too small to be noticed, but events of this magnitude can be felt by residents, especially when they occur close to the surface.
For many locals, the timing of the quake—on April Fools’ Day led to initial confusion, with some unsure whether the shaking was real or a prank. However, the event was quickly confirmed by seismic monitoring agencies.
While minor, the earthquake serves as a reminder that even areas not typically associated with seismic activity can experience sudden ground movement. Monitoring agencies continue to track activity in the region, encouraging residents to report any future tremors they may feel.
No aftershocks of significance have been reported as of yet.
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