A group of experts conducted an investigation into recent earth movements in Zot community, Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State, over the weekend. Their findings suggest there is no reason for alarm regarding the incident that occurred in the community,leadership reports.
On April 3, 2024, sudden earth movements, accompanied by loud noises resembling explosions, rattled parts of Zot community, causing fear among residents. Some buildings sustained cracks in walls, while ceilings were damaged.
The community promptly reported the incident to Barkin Ladi local government authorities, who in turn notified the State’s Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Minerals Development. Mr. Samuel Jaryum, the Director of Exploration in the Ministry, visited the community on April 9, 2024, and confirmed the occurrence of the earth movements.
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With the approval of the state governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, Jaryum led a team of experts, including geoscientists from Geodesy Toro Centre for Remote Sensing and the Department of Geology, University of Jos, to investigate the root cause of the earth movements.
The team, which included Associate Prof. Raymond Daspan, Dr. Ofonime Akpan, and Dr. Kehinde Ogunmola, conducted a thorough investigation from April 18 to 19, 2024. Their analysis concluded that the earth movements were unlikely to be tremors or earthquakes. Instead, they suggested that the movements may have been triggered by the expansion and contraction of rock due to recent high temperatures. This temperature fluctuation may have caused pressure release and subsequent cracking of rocks and buildings in the community.
Furthermore, the experts proposed that the lowering of the water level, leading to the release of water from fractures and cracks within the rock, could have contributed to mechanical failure and the observed earth movements and noises.
The team reassured the community members that there is no need for panic and pledged to conduct further investigations to determine the exact cause of the earth movements.
