A 3.7-magnitude seismic event occurred in the Banff and Canmore vicinity during the early hours of Friday. As per data from Natural Resources Canada, the earthquake happened around 35 kilometers north of Canmore, with a depth of approximately five kilometers.
Brian McCullough, a Banff resident for two decades, was jolted awake by the tremors at 4:47 a.m., dubbing it as his morning alarm. Initially mistaking it for a passing train due to the nearby railroad, McCullough later confirmed through online sources that it was indeed an earthquake, initially believed to be a 4.0 magnitude.
Brindley Smith, a seismic expert at Natural Resources Canada, clarified that the earthquake was initially rated at 3.7 magnitude, briefly upgraded to 4.3 magnitude before settling back at 3.7 after thorough analysis. He described the sensation for those experiencing it as akin to a large truck hitting a curb nearby, causing significant vibrations and loud noises.
Smith emphasized that while earthquakes in the Rockies are uncommon, they are not entirely surprising, occurring sporadically throughout the region. Monitoring stations, situated around 80 kilometers away, received over 30 reports from individuals through the “Did You Feel It” form following the event.
Notably, seismic activity in the Rocky Mountains is described as “infrequent, but not unexpected,” with occurrences averaging about once a year in the southern Rockies. Records from Natural Resources Canada indicate six earthquakes in the area since 2025, typically distanced from populated areas.
McCullough recalled this as the third earthquake he has felt in Banff, having experienced a 3.9-magnitude quake in February 2021 and a 3.1-magnitude event in 2014. Reflecting on the recent incident, McCullough remarked that while unsettling, the experience lacked excitement, highlighting the potential dangers when earthquakes coincide with heightened emotions.