The cause of the minor rift witnessed in Barentu sub-zone is thick alluvial overburden: Ministry

The Ministry of Energy and Mines said that the cause of the minor rift witnessed in Sesuna area is thick alluvial overburden which is a characteristic feature of the area, and that the major portion of the crack faded away quickly after limited incidence of heavy rain falls.

Asmara, 5 July 2012 – The Ministry of Energy and Mines said that the cause of the minor rift witnessed in Sesuna area is thick alluvial overburden which is a characteristic feature of the area, and that the major portion of the crack faded away quickly after limited incidence of heavy rain falls.

According to a report by the Ministry’s assessment team, the land-cracking incident has nothing to do with volcanic eruption or tectonic movement. The Ministry on its part said that the local inhabitants can confidently carry out agricultural activities in the area.

It is to be recalled that the inhabitants were concerned that there could take place probability of volcanic eruption in the area as such incident had happened there many years ago.

Reports indicated that the 21cm-wide double-spot rift measured 47 and 25 meters respectively, and that it is 1.30 meters deep.