Earthquakes in South Africa

In South Africa earthquakes can be strong and cause heavy damages in a circle of dozens of kilometers. Measured against the size of the country, earthquakes occur very rarely.

55 people died since 1950 by direct consequences of earthquakes.

Other natural hazards in South Africa:
› Tsunamis
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Earthquakes in South Africa since 1950

The strongest earthquake in South Africa happened on 09/29/1969 in the region Cape Province with a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter scale. The shifting of tectonic plates in a depth of 32 km resulted in 12 deaths.
DateRegionTiefeMagnitudeDeathsTotal damage
05/03/2018West Rand 2.17
08/05/2014Orkney38 km5.51
12/06/2009Carletonville59 km3.52
03/09/2005Klerksdorp, Stilfontein31 km4.32
02/07/2000Mbabane-Manzini57 km4.50
07/21/1997Avgold's Hartebeestfontein Mine49 km5.015
10/18/1990Charletonville44 km4.010
09/26/1990Welkom23 km4.22
10/05/1986Mount Frere, Durban20 km4.80
12/08/1976South Africa25 km5.24
10/05/1969Tulbagh 5.80
09/29/1969Cape Province32 km6.312


These statistics are based on datas from the National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K. Several data have been summarized and translated.