P.E. Amponsah1 , Y. Serfor-Armah1
1Ghana Atomic Energy Commission
Abstract:
Ghana is far from the major earthquake plate boundaries. However, the region has experienced devastating earthquakes in the past. Two major earthquakes of magnitude 6.5 on the Richter scale were recorded in the country in 1862 and 1939 and numerous earth tremors thereafter. On 24 March, 2018 and 9 December, 2018 a series of earth tremors of magnitude ranging from 3.0 to 4.8 on the Richter scale hit parts of Accra the capital city, and caused a lot of panic among the populace. The National Data Centre established in Ghana eight years ago is playing a key role in the dissemination of seismic information. The data received from the International Data Centre in Vienna is used to complement the efforts of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority in monitoring earthquake activities in the country. The earthquake events are catalogued at the National Data Centre for earthquake hazard studies. The data is also made available to our stakeholder agencies for earthquake disaster risk mitigation. Periodically, the Centre organizes awareness programmes to educate the public on earthquake safety measures.This is done with the objective of minimizing any disasters or casualties that might occur in the event of an earthquake.
