A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck Johannesburg, South Africa, causing buildings to sustain damage and awakening residents, as reported by seismologists and locals. The tremor was widely felt throughout the city and the surrounding region.
The seismic event occurred at 2:38 a.m. on Sunday and had its epicenter approximately 6 kilometers south of Alberton, or roughly 16 kilometers southeast of central Johannesburg, according to seismologists.
While the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured the earthquake’s magnitude at 5.0, South Africa’s Council for Geoscience estimated it to be 4.7. Notably, the quake occurred at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers below the surface.
Residents recounted being awoken by the intense shaking, which lasted for around 40 seconds. Some homes sustained minor damage, but no immediate injuries were reported. “The entire house trembled for approximately 40 seconds,” stated a resident from Alberton.
If you experienced the earthquake, please share your location and account of the event by contacting us via email at tips@bnonews.com.
This seismic event marks the most powerful tremor in the Johannesburg area since March 2019 when a 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck near Soweto. In 2017, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded in the vicinity of Stilfontein.
