Residents of Sturgeon County, located just north of Edmonton, have reported unusual seismic activity over the past three weeks, with many stating they have felt their homes shake and tremble. This surge in earthquakes has raised concerns among local inhabitants, with experts attributing the phenomenon to industrial activities in the region.
A New Experience for Locals
Kalle MacDonald, a long-time resident of the area, has lived near Gibbons for three decades without encountering any seismic events—until recently. On April 1, he experienced his first earthquake, and since then, he has felt dozens more.
“It’s not like they’re shaking the whole house apart or anything like that, but these are loud and disruptive,” he explained. MacDonald noted that the quakes can strike at any time, day or night.
“It’s not so much the damage they do or anything like that. It’s just the nuisance of it,” he added, reflecting the sentiments of many in the community.
Significant Rise in Earthquake Events
Data from the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) indicates that over 30 seismic events have been recorded in the vicinity, categorised as “known induced,” which means they are linked to human activity rather than natural geological processes. Notably, there was a significant jump in seismic activity across Alberta, with 862 incidents reported from January to March 2025, escalating to 1,520 in the same months of 2026.
Earthquakes Canada has confirmed the detection of seven tremors with a magnitude of 2.5 or higher, all attributed to industrial operations. Among them, three earthquakes exceeded a magnitude of 4. Stephen Crane, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, remarked, “When I looked through the seismic record, there were very few earthquakes in this area. Most of the earthquakes we’ve recorded have been in the past three weeks.”
Industrial Activities Under Scrutiny
The Alberta Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas has linked the recent seismic events to the operations of Shell Canada, particularly their Scotford Upgrader and associated CO2 injection site. The company has stated that it is monitoring the situation and has protocols in place to mitigate the impact of its activities.
“It is Shell’s obligation to return the injection well to a safe state prior to resuming operations, which may involve changing injection thresholds or proposing new mitigation measures,” the company stated in response to the growing concerns.
Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean acknowledged the seriousness of industry-related earthquakes, highlighting the government’s commitment to ensuring safety through rigorous oversight. “When it does happen, we get reports on it, and we have to make changes accordingly, either based on the technology that’s been used or the operator,” he asserted.
Future Projections and Community Concerns
While the AER has indicated that seismic activity in Sturgeon County is expected to taper off, there remains potential for further earthquakes. Local residents, including MacDonald, are hopeful that the situation will stabilise. “To go from what I can tell is zero earthquakes ever, to having 30 earthquakes or aftershocks in less than 30 days, is just bizarre. If someone’s doing them, they can be stopped,” he expressed.
Why it Matters
The recent seismic activity in Sturgeon County underscores the delicate balance between industrial operations and community safety. As the region grapples with the implications of induced seismicity, it raises critical questions about the sustainability of energy practices and the responsibility of companies to mitigate their environmental impact. The ongoing situation serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of industrial activities on local communities, emphasising the need for stringent regulations and proactive measures to ensure public safety and environmental integrity.
