This day trip will start in Milnerton near Cape Town, believed to be close to the epicentre of the 4th December 1809 event, which damaged buildings in Cape Town. We will then travel across the Swartland area, where the geological characteristics of this intraplate setting will be discussed with stops at several strategic points along the way. The route will take us past the impressive late Precambrian to Cambrian granite plutons and across major fault systems, some of which have been created in Neoproterozoic times, reactivated during Mesozoic breakup of Gondwana and continue to be seismically active. Uncertainties surrounding the location and magnitude of historic events will be discussed and reviewed. We will cross a major Mesozoic fault system, the Worcester Fault, near its northern termination. Our next stop will be at Tulbagh, where we will visit the local museum to view an exhibition of photographs and information on hitherto the largest known seismic event to hit the SW Cape, the 29th September 1969 earthquake and its series of aftershocks. We will return to Cape Town via the Slanghoek Wine Route and the Du Toits Kloof Pass. The excursion will strive to integrate the geology and seismicity of the area.

Field Trip Leaders: Coenie de Beer, Nicky Flint                                            
Start/End: Cape Town International Convention Centre                              
Departs: 09:00AM
Date: 1 day, Sunday 4th September 2016                                                      
Price: R 2 450 per person 

Info from Trip Leader