2.7-magnitude earthquake confirmed near Banff

A small earthquake has been confirmed near the mountain town of Banff in western Alberta.

The 2.7-magnitude quake was recorded roughly four kilometres southwest of the town site. Natural Resources Canada says it happened Thursday at 5:42 p.m. MT.

Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen says the small earthquake was felt by residents.

"It was an interesting sensation," she said. "I think most of the community, myself included, we were all just sitting down to dinner, or getting home from work, and there was definitely a rumble. I would say two to three seconds at most."

She said many describe it as a "very large truck driving by your home."

Sorensen said the fire department and town manager looked into the situation immediately, but no damage or injuries have been reported.

She said some people living in nearby Harvie Heights also felt the quake, but Sorensen said Canmore's mayor did not feel the rumble.

Although earthquakes are rare in Alberta, they do occur.

The Banff area has seen earthquakes in the past, although Sorensen said she has never felt one during the past 30 years living there.

The largest earthquake measured in the area had a magnitude of 6.0 back in 1918.