By Golok Nanmwa, Jos
Team of experts that carried out an investigation of an earth movement in Zot community of Barkin Ladi Local government council of Plateau state at the weekend said there is no cause for alarm over the recent earth movement witnessed in the community.
It would be recalled on the 3rd of April, 2024, Sudden Earth Movements were experienced in parts of Zot, Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau state. The movements were accompanied by large noise that sounded like explosions this left members of the community terrified because it cracked the walls of a building and also shattered the roof.
The Community immediately reported the incident to Barkin Ladi local Govt authority who reported same to Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Minerals Development
Mr Samuel Jaryum, Director, Exploration of the Ministry visited the site on 9th April, 2024 and confirmed the occurrence of the earth movement.
He then led a team of expert geoscientists from Geodesy Toro, centre for remote sensing Jos and the Department of geology university of Jos for detailed investigation to unravel the remote cause of the earth movement after an approval by his Excellency Bar. Caleb Mutfwang, the executive Governor of Plateau state. The Experts includes, Associate Prof Raymond Daspan, HOD, Geology Department University of Jos, Dr Ofonime Akpan (seismologist) Assistant Director Center for Geodesy and Geodynamics and Dr Kehinde Ogunmola (structural Geologist), Assistant Director National Center for Remote Sensing Jos.
According to a document obtained by our correspondent from the team of scientists, the team carried out detail investigation from 18th to 19th of April 2024 after which they arrived at the following conclusions ,that the Earth Movement is not likely a tremor or an earthquake , and that It might be as result of expansion and contraction of the rock due to the intense temperature that is been experienced lately which leads to release of pressure and subsequent cracking of the rock and the building.
They also stressed that It might also be due to the lowering of the water table with the attendant release of water from fractures and cracks within the rock which eventually leads to mechanical failure hence the earth movement and loud noise observed by the members of the community.
In conclusion the scientists assured the community that there was no need for panic and that further detailed investigation will be carried out to ascertain the exact cause of the earth movement.
