Geological Hazards
As much as any other location anywhere else in the world, there are a number of various geological hazards that must be taken into consideration when looking at the geology of Cape Town.
EARTHQUAKES
As discussed in the tectonics sections as well, Cape Town is located quite in the centre of the African plate. However, that does no mean that there are no worries for earthquakes. As you can see in the map here, there is the Milnerton Fault that cuts right across Cape Town. There has been two large historical earthquakes that occurred in 1809 and 1811; both caused by the Milnerton Fault and Rooiels fault.
Still then, Cape Town is considered a low earthquake activity region; however, precautions must always be set. Especially because buildings of Cape Town are not built for earthquakes and are highly vulnerable, its collapse would be the biggest hazard. Actions on raising awareness of earthquake procedures is essential.
Image: Hartnady, C. (n.d.). Cape Town earthquakes: Review of the historical record. Muizenburg, South Africa: Umvoto Africa.
EARTHQUAKES
As discussed in the tectonics sections as well, Cape Town is located quite in the centre of the African plate. However, that does no mean that there are no worries for earthquakes. As you can see in the map here, there is the Milnerton Fault that cuts right across Cape Town. There has been two large historical earthquakes that occurred in 1809 and 1811; both caused by the Milnerton Fault and Rooiels fault.
Still then, Cape Town is considered a low earthquake activity region; however, precautions must always be set. Especially because buildings of Cape Town are not built for earthquakes and are highly vulnerable, its collapse would be the biggest hazard. Actions on raising awareness of earthquake procedures is essential.
Image: Hartnady, C. (n.d.). Cape Town earthquakes: Review of the historical record. Muizenburg, South Africa: Umvoto Africa.
COASTAL EROSION
Not only Cape Town’s but the whole of South Africa’s coastline is subject to coastal erosion. Strong wave erosion, storms, extreme events and unundation caused by tidal actions cause these coastal erosions. They can effect the industrial, commercial, and residential uses of the coastal zone, in which the hazard can be severe.
SAND DUNE MIGRATION
In 2007, there was a report that half of Cape Town’s dune systems are under threat due to combination of strong winds, the sediment characteristics of sand along the Cape Town coastline, and the inappropriate development within the coastal dune cordon. Climate change as well as the removal of natural dune vegetation and its replacement with alien vegetation and mining has also caused the risk of sand dune migration to increase. Hazardous damages from this are leaving coastal regions even more vulnerable to other coastal hazards such as storm damage, inundation and erosion.
Not only Cape Town’s but the whole of South Africa’s coastline is subject to coastal erosion. Strong wave erosion, storms, extreme events and unundation caused by tidal actions cause these coastal erosions. They can effect the industrial, commercial, and residential uses of the coastal zone, in which the hazard can be severe.
SAND DUNE MIGRATION
In 2007, there was a report that half of Cape Town’s dune systems are under threat due to combination of strong winds, the sediment characteristics of sand along the Cape Town coastline, and the inappropriate development within the coastal dune cordon. Climate change as well as the removal of natural dune vegetation and its replacement with alien vegetation and mining has also caused the risk of sand dune migration to increase. Hazardous damages from this are leaving coastal regions even more vulnerable to other coastal hazards such as storm damage, inundation and erosion.