Earthqake,Tsunami May Hit Nigeria, Says Expert
• Coastal areas of N’Delta under serious threat


A British geology and earth education expert, has said that there is scientific evidence that Nigeria may be in danger of disastrous occurences of earthquake and tsunami, the type which had taken place in some parts of Asia.
The Director from the Earth Science Education Unit, Department of Education, Keele University, Mr. Chris King, yesterday said Nigeria could be in danger of major natural disasters including earthquakes and a tsunami.

King, who made the assertion in an interview with newsmen after a lecture at the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) in Abuja, however did not state exactly how and when the catastrophe would strike.
He said to guard against the usual huge impact accompanying the disaster, a geological training session for school teachers and students as well as intensified education of the populace on these natural disasters and ways of surviving them should they occur is recommeded.
He further disclosed that towns and villages along the coastal areas,especially in the Niger Delta region of the country, are exposed to greater hazards in the event of the Atlantic overflowing its shores and waves like that of the tsunami that occured in South-East Asia.

Speaking on the threat of volcanic eruptions, King said one of the islands in the Atlantic Ocean could set off a volcano that could
produce a tsunami that can sweep across the South Atlantic coastal areas of the Niger Delta, which could be really devastating if it happens; it is not very likely, but it could happen.

“There is also a possibility that a tsunami could hit Nigeria; the type of tsunami that hit South East Asia. So, it is important for
children and their teachers to know how to deal with these natural disasters when they occur, so they can make plans that could save their lives.”

“In the Camerouns, people have died from volcanic lakes in the past, and Cameroun is not very far from Nigeria. I don’t think we are going to see volcanic eruptions in Nigeria, but certainly we are going to have earthquakes. Even in the middle of plagues, you can have major earthquakes which can be very devastating.”, he said

“You can train the population what to do when tsunami is possible. The biggest problem today is that we know tsunami could hit Nigeria but we don’t even know what to do. So you need to train the population, to move to island, to move away from the coast and this could save lives if there is a tsunami. We need to train teachers on how to train this effectively. This is to educate more science teachers in Nigeria.”

He advised that the lectures on geology as it affects these major natural disasters be incorporated into schools’ curriculums at all
levels. “I teach them about earthquake and tsunami. And the lecture I gave two days ago was whether earthquake or volcanoes could affect Nigeria. And the truth is that earthquakes has happened in Nigeria back in the geological past and we do have minor earthquakes today. There has also been major volcanic eruptions in Nigeria in the past and it is possible in the future as wel".

"There is a possibility that a tsunami could hit Nigeria because there has been in South East Asia. Scientists and teachers know how to deal with this natural hazard then we make plans to save their lives. What we are teaching about can help us to understand how the earth works and how to save their lives", said.

According to King, however, the possibility of natural disasters occurring may not pose as much challenge as the capacity and ability of the country to manage them when they occur. King said the disaster resulting from these natural occurences can be
averted by training the populace to migrate from coastal region.

“The problem we have today is that if we knew a tsunami were to hit the country, no one will know what to do. You can have a tsunami warning system as they have in the Indian Ocean and in the Pacific Ocean.

“Also, you need to train the population in the coastal areas what to do in case a tsunami happens. You need to train the population that if a tsunami were to hit that they need to move to the highlands and move away from the coast: that will save their lives,” he noted.

While commenting on the benefits from mining sector, Director General, NGSA Prof Siyan Malomo noted that there have been foreign investment in the country’s mining sector but the nation would realize the impact in the next three to five years.

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