South Africa experiences natural earthquakes and notable mining-induced seismicity around its deep gold mines. This page pulls real records for South Africa: the largest earthquakes on record from USGS, how often the ground shakes nearby, tsunamis from the NOAA database, and volcanoes from the Smithsonian program. Nothing is guessed.
A quiet recent record is good news, but many damaging earthquakes strike places that were quiet for decades. The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for South Africa.
Check South Africa hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk near South Africa - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in South Africa - FAQ
Is South Africa at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 9 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 611 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M6.3 in 1919.
What was the biggest earthquake in South Africa?
The strongest earthquake on record near South Africa is M6.3, in 1919 (38 km S of Driefontein, South Africa), from USGS.
Does South Africa get tsunamis?
No tsunamis are recorded within 611 km of South Africa in the NOAA database - though coastlines everywhere carry some residual risk after a very large offshore quake.
How do I get earthquake warnings in South Africa?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.