Nairobi Geologist Explains Cause of Tuesday’s Earth Tremor

A geologist specializing in Geophysics and Seismology, Gladys Karegi Kianji, has provided insights into the cause of the earth tremor that shook Nairobi on Tuesday evening. According to Kianji, the epicentre of the tremor was located in the Magadi area, which lies along the eastern arm of the Rift Valley.

Kianji, in an interview with KBC, warned that the Rift Valley is gradually widening at a rate of two millimeters per year. This geological activity is causing molten magma to move through fissures toward the Earth’s surface, resulting in tremors like the one experienced in Nairobi at 8:32 pm. The tremor was registered by seismometers located on Mt. Kilimambogo and in Makueni.

Despite the noticeable shake, Kianji, a lecturer in the Department of Geology at the University of Nairobi, reassured residents that there is no immediate cause for alarm. She emphasized that the remote location of the epicentre and the moderate magnitude of 4.6 on the Richter scale significantly mitigated the potential for damage.

However, Kianji stressed the importance of ongoing precautionary measures, citing historical precedents such as the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Kenya in 1928. In light of this, she highlighted the proactive steps being taken by the National Construction Authority (NCA). The NCA has gazetted a bill incorporating a seismic code to ensure the construction of buildings capable of withstanding seismic activity.

Understanding Earthquakes and Earth Tremors

Kianji also clarified the distinction between earthquakes and earth tremors. An earthquake is a violent shaking of the ground, often causing widespread devastation due to movements in the Earth’s crust or volcanic activity. In contrast, an earth tremor is a smaller