By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Andy Mkosi.
Council for Geoscience (CGS) has confirmed an earthquake measuring a magnitude of 2.2 was recorded in the south of Johannesburg on Wednesday night.
“The Council for Geoscience can confirm an earthquake occurred on Wednesday late evening at about 10.44pm. The earthquake registered a local magnitude of about 2.2 as recorded by the South African Seismograph Network (SANSN),” Council for Geoscience spokesperson Mahlatse Mononela said.
“The epicentre was located south of Johannesburg, near Harmony Doornkop gold mine.”
Mononela said the latest earthquake was “probably a mine-induced one”.
Last week, Johannesburg residents were woken by another earthquake emanating from the south of the city.
This is the third quake to hit Gauteng in a month.
The biggest quake originated from Boksburg on 10 June, which measured a magnitude of 4.4 on the Richter scale, a few kilometres outside the East Rand Proprietary Mine.
According to mining data website Minedat.org, the mine was established in 1893 and was, during its history one of the largest and deepest gold mines in the world. In 1993, mining was at a level of 3,430m below surface.
The council had encouraged residents to record their experiences on a questionnaire available on its website.