UPDATE: Tremor in Jozi
JOBURG - Twitter was abuzz after a magnitude 4 tremor shook the city.
UPDATE: 18 November 11.06am:
According to the Council of Geoscience this morning’s earthquake was measured as magnitude 4 on the Richter Scale.
Manager of the seismology unit Michelle Grobbelaar described the tremor as “quite a big guy”.
The preliminary analysis indicated the epicentre was near the University of Johannesburg just before 10:00.
According to Grobbelaar it’s a rule of thumb that another tremor of similar magnitude could be expected in the same region, but seismologists could not predict when this would happen.
Tshepo Motlhale, divisional chief for disaster risk management, said the tremor didn’t last for more than six seconds.
Motlhale said he experienced the “strong” tremor while he was in his office.
Details are still sketchy and an investigation is underway.
Help the Council for Geoscience determine the scope and cause of the incident by clicking on this link and submitting a Seismic Event Enquiry
18 November, 10.30am:
According to users on the social media site the tremors could be felt across the city and reports came in of shudders in Northcliff, Houghton, Rosebank, Illovo, Sandton, the CBD, Industria, Parktown, Randburg, Fourways and more.
@dieterbrandt tweeted: #Earthquake 09h55 #Johannesburg tremor just moved our building back and forth. The ground moves beneath our feet.
He wasn’t the only one as tweets came in fast regarding the tremors using the hashtag #Earthquake
@lewisc4rl: Haha I thought I was loosing my head hahaha #Jozi #EarthQuake
@TeboIsMyName: The earth Is shaking Here In Jhb #EarthQuake Is Coming? Huh
@DneoM: the south felt it 2! the mines are collapsing underground RT @iamsuede: Young Illovo Tremors? #EarthQuake”
@Michael_Scholtz: #earthquake just felt one in randburg. About 5 secconds. But felt like quite a big one.
@absolute_phil: Massive tremor just hit Bedfordview.#earthquake #tremor
@juanjvrensburg: #Earthquake in Fourways Johannesburg just now.
@djsivaksa: #Earthquake just hit Rosebank. Maybe its a sign that Rick Ross is also coming to SA soon.
@Ellaword1: Just experienced a mini #earthquakein@Sandton…yes in SouthAfrica!!!
@howesandrew: Just felt the ground shudder. #earthquake#tremor #johannesburg #sandton
There is no news yet on the cause of these tremors but we will be following this story closely.
Did you feel tremors this morning? Tell us your experience in the comments.
