Did you feel the tremor? Parts of Johannesburg is shook

01 March 2019 - 07:44 By Nico Gous
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Johannesburg's skyline.
Johannesburg's skyline.
Image: Supplied/Computicket

An earth tremor was felt in the southern and western parts of Johannesburg on Friday morning around 7am.

Gauteng Weather swiftly reported it, stating it was a 3.7 magnitude tremor and the epicentre was near Randfontein, west of Johannesburg.

The Council for Geoscience later confirmed it, advising TimesLIVE it was measured as a 3.8 magnitude tremor.

"The South African National Seismograph Network automatic locator detected a seismic disturbance near Harmony Doornkop mining area (west of Johannesburg) on Friday at 6.56am," the council said.

"This is an automatic location and magnitude which may change once reviewed by a seismologist. This area falls more or less in the West and far West Rand mining region."

The council said there were five previous tremors with a 3.8 or higher magnitude in the area since 2005. They were:

  • A 3.9 tremor on May 23 2005;
  • A 3.9 tremor on July 13 2005;
  • A 3.9 tremor on July 16 2005;
  • A 3.9 tremor on June 14 2010; and
  • A 3.8 tremor on October 20 2011.

Resident Happy Moloto commented on Facebook, "Felt it in Roodepoort. . . our building shook. . . I got really concerned. . .it was short but strong."

Shirley Main also shared on Facebook that the tremor was felt in Wilropark, Helderkruin and Roodepoort.

"It was loud and lasted for about 10 seconds. Was not the only one this week. We have felt two other rumbles earlier this week," she said. "It was not that pleasant. Hope there are no aftershocks."

After that tremor, I have conclude that God is angry and we have Lukau to blame

Posted by Zanele Jordan on Thursday, 28 February 2019

Tremor in west rand just now

Posted by Zamabhele Nosipho Ngobese on Thursday, 28 February 2019

Tremor/Earthquake so early in the morning mara -_- :-(

Posted by Kvbelo ShimZa Chiloane on Thursday, 28 February 2019

Roodepoort people did you just feel the earth tremor????😱😱😱😱

Posted by Noxolo Selepe on Thursday, 28 February 2019
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