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.

48 people died since 1950 by direct consequences of earthquakes.

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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
08/05/2014South Africa34 km5.31
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.