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4.8 quake shakes Northwest Territories in remote MacKenzie Mountain area

The Canadian Press Sep 04, 2010 14:16:40 PM

TORONTO - The experts doubt anyone would have noticed, but a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit a remote region of the Northwest Territories.

The earthquake was recorded by Natural Resource Canada seismometers at 6:23 p.m. M.T. Friday.

Seismologist Alison Bird said she doesn't believe the quake was felt by anyone.

It occurred in a remote area of the MacKenzie Mountains and was characterized as "fairly routine activity" by Bird.

The closest community was Wrigley, N.W.T., a town with a population of about 120 people.

It's located about 120 kilometres away from the epicentre.

"It's fairly far from most communities so I'm not expecting that it will have been felt," Bird said in a phone interview from Ottawa.

Natural Resources Canada have a network of seismometers throughout Canada that record the seismic waves from earthquakes.

Bird located the earthquake when she reviewed the data Friday evening.

She said the earthquake gave her a chance to use brand new seismometers that were installed in the region about two weeks ago.

"It was very exciting to be able to record them on our new instruments," Bird said.

Bird said the new seismometers allow for a more accurate location point, and will help locate smaller earthquakes.

"Smaller ones are a bit difficult when you're in a remote area."

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