An earthquake was felt in parts of Gauteng likely caused by mining activity

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The Board of Geological Sciences confirmed the initial data but assesses what most people woke up to as the earth shook after 6:30 a.m. Friday.

File: Seismograph takes earthquake readings. Photo: AFP

JOHANNESBURG – The Geosciences Council confirmed Friday that preliminary data on a 3.5-magnitude earthquake that was felt across parts of Gauteng was likely the result of mining activity.

The epicenter was traced to Boksburg, near mining activity, but he said more specific information would be confirmed at a later stage.

Ray Durheim, South Africa’s Head of Exploration, Seismology and Mining, said there has been intense mining activity over the past few years which has contributed to rocks being moved underground from time to time.

Durheim said 90% of the earthquakes felt in Johannesburg are related to mining: “Of course, there are some earthquakes that are caused by the natural tectonic movement of our plates and sometimes it’s hard to separate the two. But an earthquake like this just above the old mining site might be related to the mine.”

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