The province of Alberta is not usually known for it's natural disasters. In actuality, it's quite the opposite. The land-locked nature of the province prevents tsunamis and hurricanes, the relatively flat nature of the province isolates the risk of landslides and avalanches, and volcanic eruptions aren't a concern for obvious reasons.
Outside of forest fires and the odd tornado, Alberta is typically safe from most other kinds of natural disasters. Most people probably would have said that earthquakes are a non issue in Alberta, up until recent events anyway.
Given that Alberta has had 3 more substantial earthquakes in the month of November, we wanted to go ahead and answer some questions you might have regarding earthquakes and coverage.
What causes an earthquake?
According to the researchers at Michigan Tech University, earthquakes are caused by underground rock suddenly breaking. When the rock breaks, there is a very fast shift along the fault line. The sudden release creates waves of energy that make the ground shake. So long as the rocks or plates are moving, the earthquake will continue, once the rocks or plates have settled, the earthquake will stop.
What is a Fault Line?
A fault is a geological term used to describe a fracture between two blocks of rocks. Most earthquakes occur along fault lines because it is where the rock is most likely to shift. Earthquakes can still occur if they are not located on a fault line. When thinking of fault lines, most would be familiar with the image shown above. In actuality, these are only the major fault lines. Fault lines are located all over the world, usually they are centralized around coast lines.
What does the magnitude of an earthquake Signify?
The magnitude of an earthquake measures the size of an earthquake at the source. Magnitude is the same number regardless of where you are or what the effects above ground feel like. According to the US Geological Survey, the commonly known Richter scale is an outdated method for measuring the magnitude of an earthquake. Instead, earthquakes are being measured by the Moment Magnitude Scale which better measures the seismic waves of the rock slips and plate shifts.
What do different magnitudes feel like?
| Magnitude | Feeling |
| 2.5 or Lower | Usually it is not felt. Mostly these can only be picked up by precise instruments. |
| 2.6 - 5.4 | This type of earthquake can be felt but is often described as the feeling of a large truck driving by. Damage is usually quite minor if at all. |
| 5.5 - 6.9 | This is the stage that minor damages occur. This could be comparable to having someone jumping on your bed. You would likely have drawers, light fixtures, and unsecured items at risk of flying open, swinging violently, or breaking. |
| 7.0 - 7.9 | This magnitude can cause serious damages. The shaking and rumbling can be quite violent. Entire buildings can collapse (if they do not have proper supports). For context, the 2010 Haiti earthquake was a magnitude 7.0 earthquake. |
| 8.0 and Higher | This level of earthquake can can cause great damage and loss of life in areas several hundred kilometers across. While these events are rare, they can still happen. Needless to say the shaking would be incredibly violent. |
How Common are Earthquakes in Alberta?
Alberta has recently experienced an unusual number of earthquakes. With a magnitude 5.58 quake hitting south of Peace River and a magnitude 4.3 quake hitting outside of Grande Prairie in November 2022, many are growing concerned about the frequency. This being said, it is incredibly rare to have an earthquake over a 5.0 magnitude in the province. Improved measurement tools may be the reason for a greater number of earthquakes being detected.
Does Alberta Have Earthquake Insurance?
Earthquake insurance is fairly readily available for commercial and personal properties as well as for tenants to purchase on their contents. It is important to note that Saskatchewan based insurance companies may not have coverage for earthquakes. Both Sandbox Mutual Insurance and SGI Canada do not offer earthquake protection coverage.
Do I need Earthquake insurance in Alberta?
While it is certainly an option to add on to your home, commercial, or tenant policy, it is not typically added policies. Given the very low risk of an earthquake causing property damage in Alberta, it is not a risk that is usually covered on policies. That being said, if you want to insure your home or belongings , you can contact one of the Armour brokers to get protection against earthquakes. Check your policy, do you have earthquake coverage?
