to the effects of a major earthquake.
This fault, named by Geologists The Cameroon Fault Line, starts far
and deep in the Atlantic Ocean, close to Sao Tome and Principe. It
then heads Northeast, with outcroppings from some active volcanos
forming islands like Bioko (Malabo) and hundreds of smaller islands.
The Fault Line hits the continent around Bota, a suburb of Limbe in
Cameroon. From there, mount Cameroon rises majestically, and this very
active volcanic formation runs northeast, through Mount Kupe,
Manenguba, and through the Western Highlands.
It is not until in the vicinity of Lake Chad, that it comes to an end.
It is a lot of territory which is thus exposed to volcanic activity in
Cameroon by proven geologic methods.
The world and especially the Japanese are still trying to mitigate the
disaster wrought upon the nation by an earthquake and resultant
Tsunami on March 11 2011.
An earthquake that struck on the 12th of January 2010 caught the
people of Haiti unprepared. Reconstruction efforts are still ongoing.
Cameroonians should seize this moment to analyze a scenario where a
Tsunami could be triggered in the Atlantic ocean by geologic activity
along the Cameroon Fault Line.
Many areas of Limbe are low-lying, from Down Beach to as far as Church Street.
Due to the steep grade that leads to Mount Cameroon, many
neighborhoods and towns close to the ocean are high above ground. In
the event of a Tsunami, this could be a life-saver for many.
A quick look at building practices in coastal areas shows a major
danger to which thousands of familes are exposed to. Their homes are
very close to the sea, with very little difference in altitude. Even a
small increase in the sea level would quickly overwhelm such
communities.
No artificial barriers that could withstand an onslaught from a Tsunami exist.
It is well known by Oceanographers that Tsunami waves travel very
fast. Prevention has to include an early warning system. There is a
global project by the US Geological Survey that monitors oceans for
seismic activity, and generates a warning if Tsunamis are detected.
If danger is sensed off the coast, it does not make a difference if
there is no mechanism to convey important information to the
population in harm's way. An early warning is a must for a city like
Douala. When millions of people live close to the coastline in a
volcanic region, it is the government's sole responsibility to assure
their safety.
This is a pressing call, for those in administrative and other
positions of responsibility to take necessary measure, so that when
mother nature does its thing, we are not found wanting.
A word to the wise...
