Geology Quiz (OQ)

[Grantmissy]

In which SA National Park does the geology largely consist of ancient granite rocks where some of the most striking are the huge whalebacks?

[Philip1]

Augrabies?

[Grantmissy]

Yes Philip , it is the Augrabies Falls National Park

[Philip1]

[onewithnature]

What is the prime cause of earthquakes in South Africa?

[Grantmissy]

Mining?

[Philip1]

Mining?

Agree with Grantmissy.

Just some info from the Cape.

"The Ceres earthquake of 1969 remains the most destructive earthquake in South African history. The earthquake occurred on the 29 September 1969 in the Ceres/Tulbagh area and registered an alarming 6.3 on the Richter scale, stronger than that of the 1809 Cape Town earthquake which destroyed a local Milnerton Farm. The Ceres/Tulbagh earthquake was followed by a series of aftershocks, the strongest of which was a magnitude 5.7 aftershock that occurred a few months later, on the 14th of April 1970. There were reports of the shock of the original 6.3 magnitude earthquake being felt from as far as Durban in Kwazulu Natal, over 1000km away. It is also estimated to have caused a displacement of 26 cm over a distance of 20km.
While the Milnerton earthquake of 1809 wasn’t too far behind the Tulbagh earthquake on the Richter scale (by estimates), the damage was far less because of the population density at the time being far less than it was in 1969. Structural damage in Tulbagh was extensive with in excess of 70% of the buildings suffering damages and over half of the local population being left homeless, there were also a number of damaged homes in the Ceres area. Damage was not confined to homes and buildings though, majority of the local roads in the area were left with large cracks – large fires were even ignited when electricity lines and boxes were damaged. Much of the Tulbagh community had to leave the area while cleanup and reconstruction was performed on the damaged roads and houses, though many of the houses damaged during the earthquake were never rebuilt.
The damage wasn’t confined to property though, during the 15 second long earthquake eleven people lost their lives.
Geological investigation into the earthquake suggested that the main earthquake along with the aftershocks that followed were part of a ‘swarm’. It is suspected that the earthquake was caused by a shallow tectonic failure along the Saron-Groenhof lineament, which is consistent with the type of tremors that occurred in the Witzenberg Mountain range during the 1969 – 1970 period.
The Western Cape is more prone to naturally occurring earthquakes than any other province in the country and it’s only a matter of type before another one hits">

[Grantmissy]

While we wait for confirmation please allow me:

Which of the five human senses could be used for one of the mineral Identification tests and what is the test?

[onewithnature]

Mining?

Yes, GM, absolutely correct.

[Grantmissy]

Let me provide the answer to this question:

Which of the five human senses could be used for one of the mineral identification tests?

Smell: Minerals can have a distinctive odor. For example, sulfur smells like rotten eggs .

[Grantmissy]

The basalts that are found in the Kruger National Park are the same age as those found in another SA National Park. They were formed during the same geological event. Which SA National Park would it be?

[renierdutoit]

Could it be Golden Gate?

[Grantmissy]

Yes Renier, you are correct It is the Golden Gate Highlands National Park

[Philip1]

Yes Renier, you are correct

Renier...

[onewithnature]

Renier