Earthquakes in GHANA

Showing the subveritical sinistral strike-slip Accra Coastal Boundary fault at Kokrobite.

Showing Google Earth satellite image of the Study Area in southern Ghana (West Africa), the mid-Atlantic Ridge and its transform faults and fracture systems, including St. Paul’s (P), Romanche (R) and Chain (C) transform faults and fracture zones (Modified after Source

    "Earthquakes occur along a plane of weakness in Earth's crust known as a fault, which is common along plate boundaries.  When a fault ruptures, rocks break apart suddenly and violently, releasing stored elastic strain energy in the form of seismic waves.  It is the strong motion from seismic waves as they pass through the ground beneath our feet that we perceive as an earthquake"(Keller/DeVecchio 59). Yet according to Geological Survey Department of Accra, Ghana being  located on the southeastern margin of the West Africa craton  is far away from the major earthquake zones that mark the present day lithospheric plate boundaries.  But does that mean that the country has been earthquake free?  Not according to geologists.  History records that Ghana has experienced some minor and major earthquakes.  Among them was the one that was intensively felt in 1939, which cause a tremendous amount of destruction: seventeen people were dead, 133 were injured and close to million pounds (currency in Ghana are called Cedi) in damages of infrastructures. Such an earthquake of a magnitude of 6.5 that was felt even in the surrounding countries like Benin and Togo.      From that time on many tremors have been felt in the country especially in Accra, the capital and its vicinity.  Recently in 2014, particularly in the month of July, citizens acknowledged an earth tremor with a high magnitude lasting 6 seconds that occurred in the capital city around the evening.  Although there was no such damage left behind, the Minister of Environment cautioned the population by saying:" that even though the situation may not be frightening currently, the magnitude could increase and cause major destruction to life and properties in earthquake prone zones.".  If for centuries now Ghana has been known to be seismically active, what measures have been taken in order to minimize its impact on the population?

    It is known for a fact that "Instrumental recording of earthquakes in Ghana began in 1914 when the colonial government installed a Milne’s single-boom seismograph in the country. It operated until 1933 when it ceased recording (Banson, 1970) due to financial constraints" (Anal of Geophysics).  With that in place several tremors were detected before they even turn into a catastrophe for the nation.  According to the author of the article in Anals of Geophysics,  In March 1973, a seismograph observatory equipped with a WorldWide Standard Seismograph Network (WWSSN) system was established at Kukurantumi in Eastern Ghana. It operated continuously until October 1974 and then intermittently until continuous recording began again in 1977 (Quaah, 1980).   Great news for the country came in 2015 when the government of Ghana announced that he has established a National Digital Seismic Network Observatory in Ghana with the purpose of detecting and monitoring earthquakes before they turn into a catastrophe since the country has been subjected to quite a many tremors on and off in the last decade.  In doing so, the citizens can be alerted efficiently prior to the shaking of the ground.  As we learn in the previous chapter, when the population is kept informed in the proper way, there is minimum loss of life.   In addition, an awareness program on earthquakes was begun four years ago to sensitize the public about the dangers of earthquakes and what they have to do before, during, and after the disaster.  Not only that, old buildings must be reevaluated and the construction of new infrastructures must adhere to building regulations of the country.

     Knowledge is power and I believe with much information, preparedness, Ghanaains may not be exempted from an earthquake; yet at least there will be less damage if there happens to be one.  Personally, I pray that day never comes by the grace of God because I love this country!!!

Works Cited

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10950-015-9486-z

http://file.scirp.org/Html/2-2800611_41164.htm

http://citifmonline.com/2014/07/25/earth-tremor-hits-parts-of-accra/

Keller, DeVecchio, Natural Hazards. Pearson 2015.