FCT: Don’t panic, NGSA allays fears over tremors

In a statement, Professor Olusegun Ige, the Director-General of the agency, indicated that NGSA has been monitoring the tremors, which have been assessed as low and not a threat to the environment.

The statement notes: “The Monitoring Station (NGSA-5) at Katampe has recorded several significant ground movements with high moment magnitudes (Mw) over the past five days, starting from September 13, 2024, to the present.

“On September 13th, only one mild event was documented. On September 14th, six tremors were recorded, followed by over 21 incidents on the 15th with higher intensities. More than twenty instances were noted on September 16th, showing an increase in both intensity and frequency from the 13th to the 16th. A few minor events have been logged today, September 17th.

“Initial analyses of the waveforms indicate that the sources of these ground movements are situated less than 5 km from the monitoring station.”

The NGSA also stated that its team conducted on-site assessments of the affected areas.

Based on reports from local residents, observations made by the NGSA team, and insights from previous airborne geophysical data analyses, the following conclusions have been reached:

* The tremors resulted from accumulated stress along identified fault lines, releasing seismic energy that may have traveled through related fractures to areas where the tremors were experienced in the FCT.

* Multiple epicentres are linked to the recent tremors, with most located northeast of the NGSA-5 Seismic Station around the Mpape area and a few located southwest around the Katampe area.

* The tremors have weak to light intensities, rated between III-IV on the Modified Mercalli Scale, presenting a very low level of threat.

* Residents in Mpape, Katampe, Maitama, and other affected areas are advised not to panic, as the tremors are generally considered low in intensity. The Agency will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide necessary updates.

The public is also reminded that NGSA Seismic Stations are under real-time surveillance to ensure swift alerts for any significant events.