Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Mechanisms of Enlargement and Hydrogeological Characteristics of Nanka Gully, Southeast Nigeria

  • Research Articles
  • Published:
Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

The mechanisms, failure processes and the hydrogeological factors leading to the enlargement of Nanka gully, one of the biggest landslide sites in Nigeria, were investigated. The gully is situated on unconsolidated, friable, collapsible sandstones capped in some places by lateritic overburden. Cross-section analysis shows that a NE-SW profile closely corresponds to the length of the gully which is over 2km while the NW-SE profile represents the width which is approximately 500m. The depth from the section is between 60–100m. Field investigation found gullies were abundant only in the eastern part of the study area. Digital elevation model (DEM) indicates that the abundance is related to the numerous surface runoff drainages in that part. The large Nanka gully (7° 5'E, 6° 2'20"N) forms the major tributary of the Mamu river. Expectedly, intense rainfall generates strong surface runoffs and remove large quantities of soil and bedrock. Shear strength tests show that overburden pressure can further weaken the materials and increase their vulnerability to the erosive impacts of runoffs and groundwater during the wet season. The gully’s progressive expansion to its present size is generally by headward extension of stream channels, head-cutting and landslides.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akpokodje, E.G., Tse, A.C. and Ekeocha, N. (2010) Gully erosion geohazards in southeastern Nigeria and management implications. Sci. Africa, v.9(1), pp.20–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ameh, P., Igwe, O., Ukah, B. (2017) Evaluation of the bearing capacity of near–surface soils using integrated methods: A case study of Otukpa, Ogbadibo LGA, Benue State, North–Central Nigeria. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.90(1), pp.1–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amini, F. and Chakravrty, A. (2004) Liquefaction testing of layered sandgravel composites. Geotech Test Jour., v.27(1), pp.1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anambra State Government (1994) The Raging War! Erosion gullies and landslides ravage of Anambra State.In: Egboka, B.C.E. (Ed.), Government of Anambra State. ASTM D4220 Practices for preserving and transporting soil samples ASTM D6913 Standard test methods for particle–size distribution of soils using sieve analysis

    Google Scholar 

  • Benkhelil, J. (1989) The origin and evolution of the Cretaceous Benue Trough (Nigeria). Jour. African Earth Sci. (and the Middle East) v.8(2–4), pp.251–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benkhelil, J., Guiraud, M., Ponsard, J.F. and Saugy, L. (1989) The Bornu–Benue Trough, the Niger Delta and its offshore: Tectono–sedimentary reconstruction during the Cretaceous and Tertiary from geophysical data and geology. In: Geology of Nigeria. 2nd edn. Rock view Ltd Jos, Nigeria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Binks, R.M., Fairhead, J.D. (1992) A plate tectonic setting for Mesozoic rifts of West and Central Africa. Tectonophysics, v.213(1–2), pp.141–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chu–Agor, M.L., Fox, G.A., Cancienne, R.M., Wilson, G.V. (2008) Seepage caused tension failures and erosion undercutting of hillslopes. Jour. Hydrol., v.359(3–4), pp.247–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cresswell, A., Barton, M.E., Brown, R. (1999) Determining the maximum density of sands by pluviation. Geotech Test Jour., v.22(4), pp.324–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crozier, M.J. (1984) Field assessment of slope instability. In: Brunsden, D., Prior, D. (Eds.), Slope instability. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Cruden, D.M., Varnes, D.J. (1996) Landslide types and processes. In: Turner, A.K., Schuster, R.L. (Eds.), Special report 247: landslides investigation, mitigation. Nat Res Cou, Trans Res Board, Washington, pp.36–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Egboka, B.C.E. and Mbanugo, E. (1988) Anthropogenically–caused road gullies in Anambra state, Nigeria. Indian Jour. Earth Sci., v.13(4), pp.319–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Egboka, B.C.E. and Nwankwor, H.I. (1982) The hydrogeological and geotechnical parameters as causative agents in the generation of erosion in the rain forest belt of Nigeria. Jour. African Earth Sci., v.3(4), pp.417–425.

    Google Scholar 

  • Egboka B.C.E. and Nwankwor G.I. (1985) The hydrogeological and geotechnical parameters as causative agents in the generation of erosion in the rain forest belt of Nigeria. Jour. African Earth Sci., v.3, pp.417–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Egboka, B.C.E., Nwankwo, G.I., Orajiaka, I.P. (1990) Implications of palaeoand neo–tectonics in gully erosion–prone areas of southeastern Nigeria. Natural Hazards Jour., Nertherlands, v.3(3), pp.222–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Egboka, B.C.E., Okoro, E.I. (2007) Implications of mas ive gully erosion and landslides at Agulu–Nanka/Alor–Oraukwu complex, Anambra state Nigeria. In: Strategy and Implementation of Integrated Risk Management. Wang, S., Tang, G., Zhang, J., Song, W., Ammann, J., Kux, C. (Eds.), Qunyan press China, pp.426–430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Egboka, B.C.E. and Okpoko, E.I. (1984) Gully erosion in the Agulu–Nanka region of Anambra state, Nigeria. Challenges in African Hydrology and Water Resources, Proceedings of Harare Symposium, IAHS Publication, v.144, pp.335–347.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekeocha, N.E. (2008) Physical characteristics of soils at gully erosion sites in parts of southeastern Nigeria. Sci. Africa, I, pp.104–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emam, A., El–Fakharani, A.H.S., Felesteen, A.W., Selim, S.A., Hafez, K.M. (2012) Catastrophic movement of rocks and proposed solutions to avoid its risks in the Abu El–Reesh area, northeast Aswan City, Egypt. Arab Jour. Geosci., v.5(4), pp.607–616.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fox, G.A., Wilson, G.V., Simon, A., Langendoen, E.J., Akay, O., Fuch,s J.W. (2007) Measuring stream bank erosion due to ground water seepage: correlation to bank pore water pressure, precipitation and stream stage. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, v.32(10), pp.1558–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crosta, G. and di Prisco, C. (1999) On slope instability induced by seepage erosion. Canadian Geotech. Jour., v.36(6), pp.1056–1073.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grove, A.T. (1956) Soil erosion in Nigeria. In: Steel, R.W. and Fisher, C.A. (Eds.), Geographical essays on British tropical lands. George Philip and Sons Ltd. London pp.79–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Vries, J.J. (1976) The groundwater outcrop–erosion model; evolution of the stream network in The Netherlands. Jour. Hydrol., v.29(1–2), pp.43–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guiraud, R. and Bosworth, W. (1997) Senonian basin inversion and rejuvenation of rifting in Africa and Arabia: synthesis and implications to plate–scale tectonics. Tectonophysics, v.282(1–4), pp.39–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guiraud, R., Maurin, J.C. (1992) Early Cretaceous rifts of Western and Central Africa: an overview. Tectonophysics, v.213(1–2), pp.153–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guthriie RH, Mitchell SJ, Lanquaye–Opoku N, Evans SG (2010) Extreme weather and landslide initiation in coastal British Columbia. Quart. Jour. Engg. Geol. Hydrogeol., v.43(4), pp.417–428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Highland, L.M., Bobrowsky, P. (2008) The landslide handbook–A guide to understanding landslides. Reston, Virginia, US Geol Surv Circular no.1325, 129p

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang CC, Lo CL, Jang JS (2008) Internal soil moisture response to rainfallinduced slope failures and debris discharge. Engg. Geol. v.101(3–4), pp.134–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hungr, O., Evans, S.G., Bovis, M., Hutchinson, J.N. (2001) Review of the classification of landslides of the flow type. Environ. Engg. Geol., v.7, pp.221–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Igwe, O. (2014a) The compressibility and shear characteristics of soils associated with landslides in geologically different localities—case examples from Nigeria. Arabian Jour. Geosci. DOI: 10.1007/s12517–014–1616–3

    Google Scholar 

  • Igwe, O. (2014b) Analyses of the October 2013 fatal slope failures on the metamorphic terrains of Obudu tourist area, South–Southeast Nigeria. Arabian Jour. Geosci. DOI: 10.1007/s12517–014–1659–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Igwe, O. (2015a) The causes and mechanisms of rain–induced highway and pavement collapse in Obolo–eke, Southeast Nigeria. Arabian Jour. Geosci. DOI: 10.1007/s12517–015–1899–z

    Google Scholar 

  • Igwe, O. (2015b) The mechanism and geotechnical characteristics of slope failures at a mining district, South–East Nigeria. Journal of the Geological Society of India 85: 471–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Igwe, O. and Fukuoka, H. (2014) The effect of water–saturation on the stability of problematic slopes at the Iva Valley area, Southeast Nigeria. Arabian Jour Geosci. DOI: 10.1007/s12517–014–1398–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Igwe, O., Mode, W., Nnebedum, O., Okonkwo, I., Oha, I. (2013) The analysis of rainfall–induced slope failures at Iva Valley area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Environ. Earth Sci. DOI: 10.1007/s12665–013–2647–x

    Google Scholar 

  • Igwe, O., Mode, W., Nnebedum, O., Okonkwo, I., Oha, I. (2015) The mechanism and characteristics of a complex rock–debris avalanche at the Nigeria–Cameroon border, West Africa. Geomorphology, v.234, pp.1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iverson, R.M., Logan, M., LaHusen, R.G., Berti, M. (2010) The perfect debris flow: Aggregated results from 28 large–scale experiments. Jour Geophys. Res., 115 doi:10.1029/2009JF001514.

  • Juneja, A. and Raghunandan, M.E. (2010) Effect of sample preparation on strength of sands. Indian Geotech Conf GEOtrendz, IGS Mumbai Chap IIT Bombay, December 16–18, pp.327–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milne, F.D., Brown, M.J., Davies, M.C.R., Cameron, G. (2015) Some key topographic and material controls on debris flows in Scotland. Quart. Jour. Engg. Geol. Hydrogeol., v.48(3–4), pp.212–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nwajide, C.S. (2013) Geology of Nigeria’s sedimentary basins. CSS Press, Lagos, 548p

    Google Scholar 

  • Nwajide, C.S., Hoque, M. (1979) Gulling processes in Southeastern Nigeria. The Nigerian Field, v.44, pp.64–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nwajide, C.S. (1992) Gullying in the Idemili River Catchment, Anambra State Nigeria; theory and cure. In: Freeth, S.O., Ofoegbu, CO and Onuoha KM ( Eds ). Natural Hazards in West and Central Africa. Vieweg. pp.149–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nwajide, C.S., Reijers, T.J.A. (1996a) Geology of the southern Anambra Basin. In selected chapters on Geology, SPDC, Warri. pp.133–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nwajide, C.S., Reijers, T.J.A. (1996b) Sequence architecture in outcrops: examples from the Anambra Basin, Nigeria. NAPE Bull. v.11, pp.23–3.

  • Nwajide, C.S., Reijers, T.J.A. (1997) Sequence architecture of the Campanian Nkporo and the Eocene Nanka formations of the Anambra Basin, Nigeria. Bull. Nigerian Assoc. Petroleum Explorationists, v.12, pp.75–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyssen, J., Poesen, J., Veyret–Picot, M., Moeyersons, J., Haile, M., Deckers, J., Dewi, J., Naudts, J., Teka, K., Govers, G. (2006) Assessment of gully erosion rates through interviews and measurements: a case study from northern Ethiopia. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, v.31, pp.167–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ofomata, G.E.K. (1975) Factors of soil erosion in the Enugu area of Nigeria. The Nigerian Geography Jour., v.8, pp.45–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okagbue, C.O. (1992) The 1988 Nanka landslide, Anambra state, Nigeria. Bull. Internat. Assoc. Engg. Geol., v.46, pp.79. DOI:10.1007/BF02595037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okagbue, C.O., Uma, K.O. (1987) Performance of gully erosion control measures in southeastern Nigeria. IAHS Publications, v.167, pp.163–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okogbue CO, Ezechi AI (1989) Geotechnical characteristics of soils susceptible to severe gulling in eastern Nigeria. Bull. Internat. Assoc. Engg. Geol., v.38, pp.111–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Onda, Y., Tsujimura, M., Tabuchi, H. (2004) The role of subsurface water flow paths on hillslope hydrological processes, landslides and landform development in steep mountains of Japan. Hydrological Processes, v.18(4), pp.637–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poesen, J., Nachtergaele, J., Verstraeten, G., Valentin, C. (2003) Gully erosion and environmental change: importance and research needs. Catena, v.50, pp.91–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poesen, J., Vandekerckhove, L., Nachtergaele, J., Oostwoud Wijdenes, D., Verstraeten, G., van Wesemael, B. (2002) Gully erosion in dryland environments, in: Dryland Rivers: Hydrology and Geomorphology of Semi–Arid Channels. Bull, L.J., Kirkby, M.J. (Eds.), Wiley, Chichester, UK, pp.229–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahardio, H., Nio, A., Leong, E., Song, N. (2010) Effects of groundwater table position and soil properties on stability of slopes during rainfall. Jour. Geotech. Geoenviron. Engg., v.10, pp.1555–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reid, M., Nielsen, H., Dreiss, S. (1988) Hydrology factors triggering a shallow hillslope failure. Bull. Assoc. Engg. Geol., v.25(3), pp.349–361.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sassa, K., Wang, G., Fukuoka, H. (2003) Performing undrained shear tests on saturated sands in a new intelligent–type of ring shear apparatus. Geotech Test Jour., v.26, pp.257–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shakoor, A., Smithmyer, A.J. (2005) An analysis of storm–induced landslides in colluvial soils overlying mudrock sequences, southeastern Ohio, USA. Engg. Geol., v.78(3–4), pp.257–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon, A., Thomas, R., Curini, A., Shields, D. (2002) Case study: Channel stability of the Missouri River, Eastern Montana. Jour. Hydrol. Engg., v.128(10), pp.880–890.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tebebu, T.Y., Abiy, A.Z., Zegeye, A.D., Dahlke, H.E., Easton, Z.M., Tilahun, S.A., Collick, A.S., Kidnau, S., Moges, S., Dadgari, F., Steenhuis, T.S. (2010) Surface and subsurface flow effect on permanent gully formation and upland erosion near Lake Tana in the northern highlands of Ethiopia. Hydrol. Earth System Sci. v.14, pp.2207–221.

  • ThisDay (2016) http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/10/24/themenace-of-erosion-in-anambra/

  • Tsai, T.L., Chen, H.E., Yang, J.C. (2008) Numerical modeling of rainstorminduced shallow landslides in saturated and unsaturated soils. Environ. Earth Sci., v.55(6), pp.1269–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaid, Y.P., Negussey, D. (1984) A critical assessment of membrane penetration in triaxial test. Geotech Test Jour., v.7(2), pp.70–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanguard (2000) http://allafrica.com/stories/200009280008.html

  • Wang, G., Sassa, K., Fukuoka, H. (2003) Downslope volume enlargement of a debris slide–debris flow in the 1999 Hiroshima, Japan, rainstorm. Engg. Geol., v.69, pp.309–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, F.W., Sassa, K., Wang, G. (2002) Mechanism of a long–runout landslide triggered by the August 1998 heavy rainfall in Fukushima prefecture, Japan. Engg. Geol., v.63(1–2), pp.169–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

    Ogbonnaya Igwe

Authors
  1. Ogbonnaya Igwe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ogbonnaya Igwe.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Igwe, O. The Mechanisms of Enlargement and Hydrogeological Characteristics of Nanka Gully, Southeast Nigeria. J Geol Soc India 92, 227–234 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-018-0985-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-018-0985-8

Search

Navigation