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‘Earthquake’ rattles parts of Joburg
Gauteng has been rocked by a series of disasters in the past few months with earthquakes and explosions in various parts
The tremor was felt by various communities just after 7pm on Saturday night. Picture: iStock
Another earthquake has rocked several parts of Johannesburg.
The earthquake was felt by various communities, including Krugersdorp on the West Rand and Soweto, just before 7 pm on Saturday.
The Council for Geoscience (CGS) confirmed the incident occurred on Saturday evening, 22 July 2023, at around 18:46.
“The earthquake registered a local magnitude of approximately 2.98, as recorded by the South African National Seismograph Network (SANS). The epicentre was located south of Johannesburg, 2 kilometres south of Harmony Doornkop Gold Mine,” the council said.
Chief scientist at the Council for Geoscience (CGS), Eldridge Kgaswane, explained in SA an earthquake is defined as seismic activity roughly registering a magnitude around 4.0 and higher. Anything lower is classified locally as a tremor.
Emergency services
Earlier, Joburg Emergency Services Robert Mulaudzi said the tremor was felt across various areas.
“A tremor has been reported in most parts of Johannesburg this evening around 18:47. However, no major incidents have been reported in our emergency call centre. Residents are urged to exercise caution and be safe.
“We remain on high alert for any reports throughout the city of Johannesburg this evening,” Mulaudzi said.
Social media users took to Twitter to share their experiences of the earthquake.
Boksburg earthquake
In June, South Africans were awoken to a powerful 4.4 magnitude earthquake which was felt across large parts of Gauteng.
The earthquake hit the Gauteng province at approximately 2:38am early on Sunday morning 10 June, causing homes and buildings to shake.
“The earthquake registered a local magnitude of approximately 4.4 as recorded by the South African Seismograph Network (SANSN). The epicentre was located in the Boksburg area a few kilometres outside East Rand Proprietary Mine (ERPM), in the East Rand of Johannesburg,” the CGS said.
ALSO READ: Powerful earthquake hits large parts of Gauteng
Soweto earthquake
Just two weeks later, Johannesburg residents were shaken awake by a 2.2 magnitude earthquake originating in Soweto.
Joburg explosion
Last week the Johannesburg CBD was rocked by an explosion that claimed one life and injured 48 others.
Thirty-seven vehicles, most of them taxis, were also damaged during the explosion, which destroyed sections of Bree and Rissik streets.
Technicians believe the cause of the Bree Street explosion, in the Joburg CBD, is a collection of gases that built up in the sewerage system.
Braam Fischerville explosion
Just a day after the destructive explosion rocked Johannesburg, emergency services responded to another blast in Braam Fischerville, Soweto.
City of Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said the explosion resulted from dynamite connected to a vehicle battery. Three people were affected by the blast.
Chloorkop explosion
On Friday, yet another explosion has hit Gauteng. It is understood the explosion happened on Friday morning, in Chloorkop, Kempton Park. Ekurhuleni Emergency Services spokesperson William Ntladi said one person was injured in the blast.
Boksburg gas leak
Earlier this month, at least 17 people including women and children died after a gas cylinder containing nitrate oxide leaked at the Angelo squatter camp in Boksburg.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said preliminary investigations revealed the nitrate oxide was being used by illegal miners in the area to extrapolate what is perceived as gold from the soil in the informal settlement.
The mayor of Ekurhuleni, Sivuyile Ngodwana, extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
ALSO READ: Joburg CBD explosion: The 3 possible causes identified by the City
