South Africa

South Africa – Earthquakes

Live map, statistics and recent events

Open history map Latest in this country
Quakes this month
36
Latest UTC: 2026-10-20 08:25:04
Strongest
M4.8
8 km NE of Orkney, South Africa
Country rank
#39
123 quakes in 2026 · out of 39 countries
Averages
M2.72 · 10 km
Avg this month: M2.48

Seismic profile

Analysis period05 Oct 2025 – 05 Oct 2026Data as of: 05 Oct 2026 · 16:00 UTC
Minimum magnitude

The last update is over two hours old. The figures reflect the data timestamp shown below.

What the data show

South Africa · M ≥ 3.0

After source reconciliation, the catalogue contains 21 event entries of M3.0 or above for this area and period, spread over 17 days.

Catalogue entries2105 Oct 2025 – 05 Oct 2026
Strongest recorded earthquakeM4.3Northern Cape ↗
Depth · median10.0 km21 events with valid depth
Last 30 days7Previous 30 days: 4

These figures describe the stored catalogue. Recording, magnitude types and geographic attribution may vary by source and period; completeness has not been established.

05 Oct 2025 – 05 Oct 2026

Earthquakes by month

M ≥ 3.0

Each bar counts events within the selected period. Hatched months are only partially included.

View data table
MonthAnalysis periodCatalogue entries
October 2025 · Partial month05 Oct 2025 – 31 Oct 20250
November 202501 Nov 2025 – 30 Nov 20254
December 202501 Dec 2025 – 31 Dec 20252
January 202601 Jan 2026 – 31 Jan 20260
February 202601 Feb 2026 – 28 Feb 20262
March 202601 Mar 2026 – 31 Mar 20261
April 202601 Apr 2026 – 30 Apr 20261
May 202601 May 2026 – 31 May 20260
June 202601 Jun 2026 – 30 Jun 20260
July 202601 Jul 2026 – 31 Jul 20260
August 202601 Aug 2026 – 31 Aug 20263
September 202601 Sep 2026 – 30 Sep 20266
October 2026 · Partial month01 Oct 2026 – 05 Oct 20262

How strong were the earthquakes?

Catalogue entries · 21

M 3.0 – < 4.020
M 4.0 – < 5.01
M 5.0 – < 6.00
M ≥ 6.00

At what depth did they occur?

21 events with valid depth

0 – < 30 km21
30 – < 70 km0
70 – < 300 km0
300 – 750 km0

0 events without valid depth are excluded here.

Depth · median

Half of the available values lie on either side of the median; ties are possible.

Current period in context

Last 30 days7
Previous 30 days4
Median of the eleven previous 30-day periods1

Same magnitude threshold, separate periods. Differences may also reflect changes in recording. No hazard level or forecast is inferred.

Where were earthquakes recorded?

Area selection: stored country code. Events without country attribution and events outside this country are excluded, even if felt there.

The interactive map complements the event links on this page.

Marker size and colour indicate magnitude.

Strongest recorded earthquake

05 Oct 2025 – 05 Oct 2026 · M ≥ 3.0

Data and methodology

Analysis period: 05 Oct 2025 16:00 – 05 Oct 2026 16:00 UTC

Data and methodology

Reports are first reconciled using existing event associations. Additional reports from different sources are consolidated only when every pair is within 5 seconds, 10 km and 0.5 magnitude units, source groups do not overlap and exactly one group matches. Ambiguous cases remain separate. The preferred report determines magnitude, time and area; period and magnitude filters are applied afterwards. The start is included and the end excluded (UTC).

0 additional source reports were consolidated during source reconciliation.

Area selection: stored country code. Events without country attribution and events outside this country are excluded, even if felt there.

These figures describe the stored catalogue. Recording, magnitude types and geographic attribution may vary by source and period; completeness has not been established.

Source reports used

The preferred report of each group is counted. Source priority follows the earthquake list. Different magnitude types and recording gaps limit comparability.

  • EMSC21

The profile is recalculated hourly from the earthquake catalogue. Later source revisions may also change historical values.

Data as of: 05 Oct 2026 · 16:32 UTC

Overview – South Africa

The latest recorded earthquake in South Africa was on 2026-10-20 at 08:25 UTC in Free State with magnitude M2.0.

In the current month, 36 earthquakes were recorded in South Africa with an average magnitude of 2.48.

Most earthquakes in 2026 occurred in Gauteng (65), followed by Mpumalanga (23).

The strongest recorded earthquake in South Africa reached magnitude M4.8 on 2025-07-10.

In 2026, 15% of events were M≥3 and 0% were M≥5.

All-time events
167
Strongest
M4.8
Latest (UTC)
2026-10-20 08:25:04 UTC

Map – South Africa

Markers show the latest 30 earthquakes in South Africa.

Strongest – South Africa

Open event
M4.8 8 km NE of Orkney, South Africa
UTC: 2025-07-10 11:48:51 UTC · Depth: 10 km

Recent earthquakes – South Africa

Showing the latest 30 events from the QuakeMap24 database (UTC).

Open full list
M2.0 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Free State · Matjhabeng Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-20 08:25:04 UTC
Coordinates -28.014, 26.778
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.6 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Merafong City Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-19 16:07:01 UTC
Coordinates -26.472, 27.450
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.3 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Lesedi Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-19 15:02:54 UTC
Coordinates -26.640, 28.404
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.1 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Westonaria Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-18 08:37:04 UTC
Coordinates -26.376, 27.639
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.2 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Mpumalanga · Steve Tshwete Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-17 05:22:25 UTC
Coordinates -25.883, 29.749
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.2 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Merafong City Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-16 16:38:35 UTC
Coordinates -26.479, 27.463
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.7 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Tshwane Ward 105

Time (UTC) 2026-10-16 13:14:48 UTC
Coordinates -25.863, 28.932
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.2 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Westonaria Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-16 01:25:44 UTC
Coordinates -26.428, 27.630
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.7 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Merafong City Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-15 16:10:48 UTC
Coordinates -26.487, 27.429
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.1 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

North West · Matlosana Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-15 15:05:05 UTC
Coordinates -27.009, 26.613
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.6 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Mpumalanga · eMalahleni

Time (UTC) 2026-10-15 13:25:49 UTC
Coordinates -25.828, 29.206
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.2 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Johannesburg Ward 53

Time (UTC) 2026-10-15 07:37:08 UTC
Coordinates -26.249, 27.756
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.8 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Mpumalanga · eMalahleni

Time (UTC) 2026-10-14 10:29:21 UTC
Coordinates -25.761, 29.179
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M3.3 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

North West · Moses Kotane Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-13 16:51:43 UTC
Coordinates -25.330, 26.749
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.4 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Limpopo · Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-13 11:52:24 UTC
Coordinates -24.231, 29.123
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.3 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Westonaria Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-12 22:35:13 UTC
Coordinates -26.432, 27.697
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.3 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Westonaria Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-12 14:30:05 UTC
Coordinates -26.428, 27.642
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.0 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Westonaria Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-11 06:29:59 UTC
Coordinates -26.423, 27.684
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.3 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Merafong City Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-09 14:52:58 UTC
Coordinates -26.420, 27.488
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.8 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Johannesburg Ward 128

Time (UTC) 2026-10-09 12:28:57 UTC
Coordinates -26.210, 27.814
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.3 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Free State · Kopanong Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-09 04:38:16 UTC
Coordinates -29.663, 26.300
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M3.0 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Merafong City Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-08 17:01:16 UTC
Coordinates -26.440, 27.366
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.1 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Mpumalanga · Steve Tshwete Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-08 08:30:24 UTC
Coordinates -25.889, 29.715
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M3.6 Depth: 5 km
Open event ↗

Free State · Moqhaka Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-07 12:35:09 UTC
Coordinates -26.998, 26.852
Source usgs

17 km E of Orkney, South Africa

M2.1 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

North West · Klerksdorp

Time (UTC) 2026-10-07 12:35:09 UTC
Coordinates -26.926, 26.721
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.2 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Westonaria Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-06 23:42:16 UTC
Coordinates -26.323, 27.725
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.2 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Johannesburg Ward 53

Time (UTC) 2026-10-06 16:43:45 UTC
Coordinates -26.227, 27.762
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.9 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Gauteng · Merafong City Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-06 14:33:53 UTC
Coordinates -26.416, 27.485
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.2 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Mpumalanga · Emalahleni Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-05 13:37:07 UTC
Coordinates -26.095, 29.259
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

M2.1 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Free State · Moqhaka Local Municipality

Time (UTC) 2026-10-04 18:31:08 UTC
Coordinates -27.005, 26.755
Source emsc

SOUTH AFRICA

Top regions – South Africa

Regions are derived from the most specific available location fields (e.g. state, then city).

  1. Gauteng
    Events: 76
  2. Mpumalanga
    Events: 24
  3. North West
    Events: 23
  4. Free State
    Events: 15
  5. Limpopo
    Events: 13

FAQ – South Africa

What is the latest recorded earthquake in South Africa?
The newest entry in our database for South Africa is dated 2026-10-20 08:25:04 UTC.
What was the strongest recorded earthquake in South Africa?
The strongest recorded event in our database for South Africa reached magnitude M4.8.
How many earthquakes are recorded for South Africa?
QuakeMap24 currently contains 167 recorded earthquakes for South Africa (all-time, based on our database).
What are typical average magnitude and depth in South Africa?
Across all recorded events in South Africa, the average magnitude is M2.72 and the average depth is 10 km.
Why do some events show city/state/village and others only a place name?
Locality labels depend on the available source data. Some providers deliver precise administrative levels; others provide a broader place description.
How can I explore more than the last 30 events?
Use the country history page for South Africa to explore earthquake activity with filters.
How often is this page updated?
The content is generated from the QuakeMap24 database and refreshes as new events are ingested. Timestamps are shown in UTC for consistency.

Regions · South Africa

Significant historical earthquakes – South Africa

with casualties or damage

  1. 1997 Avgold's Hartebeestfontein Mine M5.0 15 deaths
  2. 1969 Cape Province M6.3 12 deaths 24 M USD
  3. 1990 Charletonville M4.0 10 deaths
  4. 2018 West Rand M2.1 7 deaths
  5. 1976 South Africa M5.2 4 deaths
  6. 2005 Klerksdorp, Stilfontein M4.3 2 deaths
  7. 1990 Welkom M4.2 2 deaths
  8. 2009 Carletonville M3.5 2 deaths

Country history – South Africa

Explore earthquake history with filters (magnitude, depth, date range).

Open history map