This page lists notable earthquakes in the country South Africa. Earthquakes that caused damage in South Africa that had an epicentre outside of South Africa are excluded.
Earthquakes[]
Pre-18th century[]
Date
Time (West Coast)
Present Day Epicentre
Depth
Notes
February 11, 1635
3 miles E of De Aar
4.2
First recorded South African earthquake.
July 9, 1654
2 miles N of Clarens
5.9
1 was reported injured. One of the largest earthquakes in South Africa history.
18th and 19th centuries[]
August 30, 1836
Welkom
4.4
December 6, 1892
8.7 miles NNE of Polokwane
3.9
2 were injured.
May 8, 1946
.9 miles E of Barberton
5.5
2 were killed and 5 were injured.
October 18, 1977
4:35 PM
Tzaneen
4.2
4 km
Depth estimated.
January 4, 1995
7:19 AM
Grotto Bay
6.7
5 km
Large earthquake killed 17 and injured 509. The earthquake remains the second strongest earthquake in South African history.
