The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has moved to quell public anxiety following a series of earth tremors experienced in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Professor Olusegun Ige, Director-General of the NGSA, issued a statement addressing the seismic events and their implications for residents.
According to Professor Ige, the agency’s monitoring efforts have revealed a pattern of ground motions over the past five days.
“The Monitoring Station (NGSA-5) at Katampe has been capturing several significant ground motions with high moment magnitudes (Mw) in the past five days, beginning from September 13, 2024, till date,” he stated.
The NGSA’s data shows an escalation in both frequency and intensity of the tremors from September 13th to 16th.
Professor Ige detailed the progression: “Only one mild event was recorded on September 13th. Six of these events were captured on the 14th of September, while over 21 events were captured on the 15th with higher intensities. More than twenty events were recorded on the 16th of September.”
Despite the increased seismic activity, the NGSA has categorized the tremors as “weak to light,” ranging from III-IV on the Modified Mercalli Scale. This classification indicates a very low-level threat to the affected areas.
The agency’s on-site assessments and analysis of airborne geophysical data have led to several key conclusions.
Professor Ige explained, “The tremors are a result of accumulated stress along the identified faults and released seismic energy, which may have travelled through associated fractures to areas where the tremors were felt around the FCT.”
Multiple epicenters have been identified, with the majority located northeast of the NGSA-5 Seismic Station around the Mpape axis, and a few southwest of the station near Katampe.
Addressing concerned residents in Mpape, Katampe, Maitama, and other affected areas, the NGSA emphasized that there is no cause for alarm.
“The residents… are advised not to panic as the tremors can be generally described as low,” Professor Ige reassured.
The NGSA has committed to ongoing vigilance, stating, “The Agency is keeping a close monitoring of the situation and will provide updates as may become necessary.”
