Investigation of Flood Prone Areas in Oferekpe Ikwo Local Government Area Ebonyi State Using Electrical Resistivity Method

An electrical resistivity survey method of geophysical investigation was conducted at Oferekpe Ikwo L. G. A of Ebonyi State. The aim of the study was to ascertain the areas prone to flooding by investigating the nature of the subsurface geometry and aquifers. Eight shallow vertical electrical sounding (VES) using the schlumberger configuration were conducted within the area. The VES data presented a sounding curve which inferred that Oferekpe is underlain by clay, mudstone, sandstone and shale. The results showed that the VES consist mainly of three main curves, HA, AO, and H curve types. The three layers were delineated generally from the geoelectric sections and the results obtained showed that the subsurface has thickness between 3.0 and 32.0m and resistivities ranging from 1.80m to 5007.1m at different locations. The analysis clearly indicated that the location VES 2 has a higher tendency of flooding. Hence a small rain could cause the area to be filled up within a short time and can eventually cause flooding.