19 July 2007
Nairobi — A report by an American geologists has explained the recent spate of tremors that have jolted Kenya and Tanzania.
The report, posted on the U.S. Geological Survey's website, says the earthquakes represent a phenomenon known as a seismic "swarm".
This according to USGS, "is an episode of high earthquake activity in which the largest earthquake does not occur at the beginning of the episode and in which the largest earthquake is not substantially larger than other earthquakes of the episode".
This appears to suggest that the series of tremors that have hit the region may not necessarily culminate in a major earthquake disaster.
Active volcano
The earthquake swarm is situated close to the Ol Donyo Lengai volcano in Tanzania which is an active volcano in the Rift Valley.
According to USGS volcanic eruptions are often preceded and accompanied by earthquake swarms, but most earthquake swarms are not associated with volcanic eruptions.
The experts say the information recorded by the centre is not sufficient to determine if the current swarm might lead to a change in the eruptive behaviour of the Ol Donyo Lengai volcano.
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