Earthquake shakes Cape Town as Northern Cape tremor raises questions about safety.
If you woke up in Cape Town on Sunday morning feeling your house or windows shaking, you weren’t imagining things. A significant earthquake originating in the Northern Cape sent tremors across parts of the Western Cape, rattling homes and sparking concern.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck 120 km north-northwest of Calvinia, South Africa, with a depth of 10km. This seismic event was reported by Earthquake Alerts on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “A magnitude 5.5 earthquake took place 120 km NNW of Calvinia, South Africa. The depth was 10km and was reported by EMSC.”
No damage yet, but warnings persist
Fortunately, there have been no reports of deaths, injuries, or damage to property. However, geologists warn that South Africa is not immune to larger and more destructive earthquakes. According to eNCA, deeper mining activities could heighten the risk of significant seismic events in the future. Historically, South Africa has been spared high-magnitude earthquakes, but this recent tremor serves as a reminder of the potential dangers.
The earthquake was felt as far away as Cape Town, with residents across the metro and Cape Flats confirming the tremor. Social media users described their experiences in real time. @flymes shared, “I felt it. Made me come search for it. Clanwilliam, Western Cape,” while @antovisagie noted, “Felt a tremor in George, Western Cape.”
Nuclear waste site raises concerns
The proximity of the seismic activity to Vaalputs, a 10,000-hectare nuclear waste site in Namaqualand, has also sparked debate. User @africanscribe highlighted this issue, tweeting: “The seismic activity in the Northern Cape should be enough to raise eyebrows over Vaalputs, a 10,000-hectare nuclear waste site in Namaqualand, a mere 230 km from Calvinia, where all low-level radioactive waste from Koeberg is taken.”
This tremor comes just days after an earth tremor shook Johannesburg on Tuesday, December 17. The City of Joburg’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) reported no injuries or damage, and spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi noted that the Council of Geoscience is still working to confirm the magnitude of that event.
What does this mean for SA?
While South Africa has not historically faced high-magnitude earthquakes, recent seismic events underscore the importance of preparedness. Geologists and emergency services continue to monitor activity closely, ensuring that communities remain informed and ready.
Stay tuned with The South African as Earthquake shakes Cape Town.
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