Regina Leader-Post Staff
The tremors felt in southeast Saskatchewan near Esterhazy on Friday were due to an earthquake, says Earthquakes Canada.
Seismic activity originating half a kilometre below the surface was registered on Aug. 1 at around 7:30 p.m. approximately 14 kilometres northeast of the town of Esterhazy, shows the website for Earthquakes Canada, a program of Natural Resources Canada.
Earthquakes Canada classified the tremors as 3.3 on the moment of magnitude scale measuring an earthquake’s size or strength based on seismic movement. The common logarithmic scale similar to the Richter scale is preferred by seismologists in Canada.
The quake was “weak” in intensity, according to 10 reports made to Earthquakes Canada, which notes its is “very unlikely” an earthquake with a magnitude of less than 5 could cause damage.
Initial speculation from Earthquakes Canada suggested the seismic activity could have been caused by mining activity.
‘Not uncommon in a strong and active mining community’
Esterhazy Mayor Randy Bot says he understands that to be the case as well.
Such events are “not uncommon in a strong an active mining community like ours” and the town “remains confident in the safety protocols in place,” Bot said in an email to the Leader-Post.
“These events are closely monitored by the mining companies and regulatory bodies to ensure safety remains the top priority,” he said. “We’ve experienced similar tremors in the past, and there is no indication at this time that there is any cause for concern.”
Mosaic operates three mine sites at its flagship potash complex north of Esterhazy. The Leader-Post has contacted the company for comment.
Data from Earthquakes Canada shows that at least 10 seismic events larger than a magnitude of 2 have been recorded around Esterhazy since 2000, as recently as a 3.9 in 2021 and 4.1 in 2019. The largest on record was a 5.5-magnitude in 1909.
Esterhazy is located approximately 220 kilometres east of Regina and 77 kilometres southeast of Yorkton.
