Abstract
Incidences of landsliding and gullying are prevalent in parts of southeastern Nigeria. It is proposed here that the apparent susceptibility of the geologic formations to landsliding and gullying may indeed derive substantially from the effects of palæo- and neotectonic features. Tertiary palæotectonics created regional cuestas, joints and faults that now determine the pace of gully erosion. ‘Recent’ tectonics and seismic effects cause ground vibrations that initiate movement on the marginally stable slopes. It is observed that southeastern Nigeria has climatic and land-use characteristics which are very similar to those of southwestern Nigeria, as well as being underlain by similar Tertiary formations, yet gully erosion and landslides are much less common in the latter. This is ascribed to the differences in the palæotectonic setting. Recent case incidences of tectonics-related disasters are presented.
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Egboka, B.C.E., Nwankwor, G.I. & Orajaka, I.P. Implications of palæo- and neotectonics in gully erosion-prone areas of southeastern Nigeria. Nat Hazards 3, 219–231 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00124578
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00124578