The Use of Geodetic Leveling For Crustal Motion and Deformation Studies: A 30-Year Case Study in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

This paper examines the stability of some benchmarks on the main campus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and reports the deformation studies of the area around the University dam. This dam serves as the main storage reservoir for the water supply to the University and surrounding communities. In order to study the deformation around the University dam and the stability of benchmarks, several surveys were carried out between 1976 and 2006. Within the period under review, it was revealed that the maximum downward displacement (settlement) of 96.44mm was recorded between 1976 and 2006 for a monitoring station (CP4) situated centrally along the embankment of the dam. The maximum upward displacement (uplift) of 8.03mm was recorded between 1976 and 2002 at a ground point (CP12) located in a roundabout in front of Faculty of Medicine of the University. The monitoring Station CP4 had the greatest average absolute displacement of 3.22mm per annum over the period of thirty years. Detailed results and analysis will be discussed in this paper.. The Information Manager Vol. 7 (2) 2007: pp. 28-39