The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has assured residents that the earth tremor recorded in parts of Abuja on Aug. 4 posed no threat to life and property.
The Director-General of NGSA, Prof. Segun Ige, gave the assurance on Thursday during a news conference organised by the agency in Abuja.
Ige said the agency monitored the incident for more than five days through continuous seismic surveillance, field assessments and detailed technical analysis.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tremor was felt at the Defence Intelligence Agency logistics unit at Mambilla Barracks, parts of NNPC Towers and buildings in Abuja.
Other locations included structures within the Central Business District, prompting concerns among residents and workers in the areas.
Following the incident, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, directed NGSA to provide hourly updates on seismic developments around the capital.
Ige said findings showed the tremor was a micro-event because of its isolated nature and very low magnitude.
“The very low magnitude and isolated nature of the tremor made it a micro-event that did not pose a threat.
“It lacked the required energy to damage building foundations, cause cracks on walls or trigger secondary hazards as being envisaged by communities or people around.
“It, therefore, posed no threats to life and properties except for the discomfort of the shake,” he said.
According to him, preliminary geological investigations indicated that the tremor resulted from the release of accumulated stress within the earth’s crust.
He explained that the stress was discharged through existing geological structures beneath the affected areas.
Ige said the agency’s seismic monitoring station in Utako successfully detected the tremor and tracked subsequent developments.
However, he noted that additional monitoring stations were needed beyond the current five locations to strengthen nationwide seismic surveillance capabilities.
He said expanding the network would improve data collection, event detection and overall monitoring efficiency across the country.
NAN reports that journalists were later taken on a guided tour of the NGSA seismic monitoring station.
During the tour, officials explained the station’s operations and the technical processes used in monitoring and assessing seismic activities. (NAN)
