APPRAISAL OF THE ABAJI-ABUJA (NIGERIA) ML 2.25 EARTH-TREMOR OF 10th JANUARY 2020

Abstract

This research aims at determining the epicentre, magnitude and energy dissipated during the earth-tremor which took place at Abaji-Abuja (Nigeria) on 10th January 2020 at 13:46:20 UTC. The event was recorded by Volksmeter II VMII-2RU broadband Seismographs located at the Earthquake and Space Weather laboratory, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Osun state, Nigeria. The computed P-wave and S-wave arrival times and lag times were 35.8seconds, 36.1seconds and 33.3seconds recorded by three Seismographs Ife (1), Ife (2) and Ife (3) respectively. The WinQuake software was used for the analysis. Epicentre distances computed were 330.3 km, 333.5 km and 303.2 km from the three seismograms, using trilateration method. The results gave the epicentre location at 8049’N and 6047’E (Gurdi town, Yaba District, Abaji LGA, Abuja, Nigeria),focal depth of 5 km, and average epicentral distance of 322.3km from Ile-Ife. The tremor has a Local Magnitude of 2.25 MLand Coda Magnitude of 3.7Md, and the dissipated energy of 149.6 × 10-12 KJ. The implication of these results is that a local magnitude of 2.25 ML of 149.6 × 10-12KJ of energy serves as an indicator to the future occurrence of another earthquake within the said region. Necessary precautionary measures should be taken when carrying out geological and construction works within the Abaji-Abuja environs. The massive rock blasting and quarrying must have reactivated the faults within the area.