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Earth Tremor Jolts Johannesburg: No Injuries or Damage Reported
Residents across Johannesburg experienced an earth tremor on Tuesday night, though no injuries or structural damage were reported, according to city authorities.
Tremor Details
The tremor, felt around 9 PM, shook areas including Johannesburg, Soweto, Roodepoort, and surrounding suburbs. Emergency services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi assured residents there were no emergency incidents related to the event.
“Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported through our emergency services call centre overnight or this morning. We encourage residents to remain vigilant and stay safe,” said Mulaudzi.
The Council for Geoscience is investigating the event and working to determine its magnitude on the Richter scale.
This tremor follows a series of seismic activities in the region earlier this year. On June 29 and July 1, Johannesburg’s southern suburbs experienced tremors with magnitudes of 2.6 and 2.3, respectively. These events were traced to an epicentre near Nasrec.
In February, another tremor, registering 3.4 on the Richter scale, struck Soweto, also near Nasrec. Experts have linked Johannesburg’s frequent tremors to the city’s mining legacy.
Mining and Seismic Activity
Dr. Herman van Niekerk, a senior lecturer in geology at the University of Johannesburg, explained that these tremors are often caused by activities in old mining areas.
“Frequent tremors in Johannesburg are largely related to mining. Sometimes they are felt during active blasts, but most are due to stope collapses in mined-out areas. Changes in underground water levels or illegal mining activities, such as the removal of underground support pillars, can destabilise these areas,” said van Niekerk.
While tremors in Johannesburg rarely cause significant damage, residents are encouraged to report any incidents to local authorities and remain alert for safety updates.
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