Following a string of quakes last year and a magnitude 4.8 one that shook Fox Creek in January, seismologists with the Alberta Energy Regulator continue to look into earthquakes caused by human activity. Premier Rachel Notley asked the researchers for an interim report in the spring, and a final one should be published in November.
Geoscientist Todd Shipman says their initial findings show a link between induced seismicity and the geological features in the area. Those include faults and ancient fossil reefs.
The plan is to continue to study the connection with fracking operations as well. In the meantime, energy operators must report any earthquakes within five kilometres of their wells, and shut down operations if they record one that registers as more than four on the Richter scale.