Geologists have dismissed reports of volcanic eruption at Mlima Goe in Taita Taveta County and and asked residents to remain calm.
The experts says that there was no signs of volcanic eruptions that was recorded in government’s seismic station and no any physical observation had indicated signs of such activities.
The geologists said that the smoldering fire and smoke seen on the mountain could have been triggered by thunderbolt that hit the region.
“The collision between the rocks and the thunderbolt might have sparked fire that spread to the nearby
vegetation, but as experts we can confirm that there was no volcanic eruption,” he said.
County Geologist Edward Omito said that Goe mountain which is about 2,200 feet tall is not a volcanic mountain and it has not formed a crater on its top for any eruption to occur.
“Any signs of volcanic eruptions could have been captured because we have instruments that are capable of detecting the seismic waves generated by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other seismic
sources,” he said.
He said that there has never been any emission of gases,tremor and massive fall of rocks is witnessed when volcanic eruptions occur and none of this has been witnessed.
“If volcanic eruption was to occur there are early signs and there could have been extensive damages due to emission of gases and we would not even have people still living at the base of the mountain today, with the help of instruments like the seismometer and the USGS (United States Geological Survey), any slightest volcano could have been recorded,” he said.
He said further expert analysis was still going on to ascertain the current