Earthquake rumbles Alberta, knocking out power and shutting down gas plant

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta. – The ground rumbled in Alberta today as a small earthquake hit an area west of Red Deer.

Natural Resources Canada reports the 4.1 magnitude quake happened at 9:28 local time near Rocky Mountain House.

It says there were no reports of damage, and that none would be expected from a quake that size.

Power was disrupted to about 500 customers, including a gas plant near Rocky Mountain House.

AltaLink spokesperson Scott Schreiner says a substation in the area locked out to prevent a surge or other damage on the system, and that power was restored about two hours later.

Keyara Corp., which operates the Strachan gas plant, says the facility flared off excess gas when it lost power, but there was no damage.

Julie Puddell, a spokesperson for Keyara, said the gas was flared as a safety measure. She said Alberta Environment was contacted for air quality monitoring.

Ted Hickey, the director of community and protective services for Clearwater County, said there was no risk to the public during the flaring.

Hickey said there were no reports of damage from the quake.

He said some people reported feeling the earth shaking, but noted that he didn't feel it at all.