The tremors hit around 02h38 in the morning, measuring between 4.5 and 5.0 in magnitude.
According to the US Geological Survey, the quake measured 5.0 in intensity and was recorded about 10 kilometers underground.
The shocks were felt across the greater Johannesburg area reaching as far north as Pretoria and as far south as Vereeniging.
The South African Council for Geoscience recorded the quake at a magnitude of 4.7, making it one of the biggest earthquakes to hit the country in recent memory. The council tracks all seismic events and their locations.
International risk management group Crisis24 noted the earthquake on its tracker, saying that although no damage has been reported – and significant damage is not expected – residents of multistory buildings should remain cautious.
“It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are likely over the coming days.
“Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks,” it said.
Medium and light shaking was recorded during the event, with the impact large enough to have woken people up.
Previous earthquakes in South Africa have resulted in fatalities where broken or poor infrastructure has collapsed. In 2014, a 5.3 quake near Orkney resulted in one death after a wall collapsed on a person, while others were left injured.
There have been no reported injuries or fatalities related to the Sunday quake so far.
-Business Tech
Residents of Gauteng were abruptly woken from their sleep in the early hours of Sunday morning after a 4.8 magnitude earthquake rocked the province.
The earthquake was confirmed by the Council for Geoscience, recording the quake’s epicenter in the Boksburg area on the East Rand.
However, tremors were felt across the province, going as far as Pretoria, and the south of Johannesburg, with some residents reporting damage to their property and infrastructure.
The earthquake reportedly took place just outside the East Rand Propriety Mine.
Several social media users shared footage of the earthquake which occurred around 02h38 on Sunday, 11 June.
–Natasha Archary
