Update: Earthquake felt in parts of Gauteng (27 February 2013 00h31 SAST)

Image: Google Maps

Henri Steppe: At what strength does a tremor become a quake?

SAWDOS - An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. Once measured on the Richter scale it is classified as and earthquake. The Richter magnitude scale (often shortened to Richter scale) was developed to assign a single number to quantify the energy released during an earthquake. Earthquakes descriptions are: Micro - Less than 2.0M, Minor - 2.0 to 3.9M, Light - 4.0 to 4.9M, Moderate - 5 - 5.0M, Strong - 6.0 - 6.9M, Major - 7.0 - 7.9M, Great - 8.0 - 9.9M and Massive - 10 or Over. Last night's earthquake is classified as Minor (2.9 to 3.9M)The earth tremor last night felt in parts of Gauteng measured 3.4M on the Richter scale. Having said that one never knows when the big one will strike.