Tremor measuring 1.8 felt

A tremor measuring 1.8 was felt in Benoni in the early hours of June 17.

Stock image.

According to Ian Saunders, who is the South African National Seismograph Network project leader, the seismic activity was recorded just south of the Middle Dam, at 12.33am, at a depth of 2km.

Saunders said quakes that register below three on the local magnitude scale are classified as “micro seismic activity”.

These are too small to cause any property damage.

Saunders said the cause of the underground activity is not known, but, that it could be due to rockfalls.

He said tremors of this magnitude are common on the East Rand.

These are some of the comments on the Benoni City Times Facebook page when the public was asked whether they felt anything on June 17:

Cecilia van Rensburg: “Felt it in Crystal Park at midnight. Woke me up, not sure what it was.”

Johnny Smith: “Dalview, Brakpan, about the same time.”

Ntswaki Wa Ha Mosia: “Daveyton, last night, around 11pm.”

Janelle Henning: “Rynfield at 12.15am. I had just finished watching Game of Thrones.”

Margaret Turner: “Not in Lakefield.”