October 18, 1990 Earthquake: Charletonville, South Africa
A magnitude 4 earthquake struck Charletonville, South Africa on October 18, 1990 at 09:30:44 UTC, 5 km below the surface. It killed 10 people.
Map
Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.
The earthquake
- Date
- October 18, 1990
- Time
- 09:30:44 UTC
- Place
- Charletonville, South Africa
- Magnitude
- 4 (mb)
- Focal depth
- 5 km (3 mi)
- Tsunami
- None recorded
- Epicenter
- 26.390° S, 27.349° E
- Country
- South Africa
The toll
- Deaths
- 10
- Injuries
- 6
Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.
What the record says
NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.
At least 9 people killed, one missing and 6 injured in a a mine near Carletonville. Probable rockburst. (reference #1053)
Other significant earthquakes nearby
Within 200 km, the deadliest first.
More
Significant earthquakes of 1990The 1900sEvery quake the USGS located in 1990Recent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history
Sources
Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 5261.