1Department of Physics, Cross River University of Technology, P.M.B 1123, Calabar, Nigeria
2Department of Physics, University of Calabar, P.M.B 1115, Calabar, Nigeria
3Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Governor's Office, Calabar, Nigeria
Time scale dependence of Gutenberg Richter's relationship was investigated. The work set out to see how time interval within which an earthquake epicentre is selected affects the values of the constants a and b in the Gutenberg Richter's relationship. The region of study was varied between 1963–1972, 1973–1982, 1983–1992, 1993–2002 and 2003–2012. The results of the study showed that the values of a and b change as the time interval changes. This means that seismicity does not vary uniformly in temporal dimensions. b varies from 0.67 to 1.11 and a from 4.61 to 6.76 in the study area. These high b-values observed are an indication that the study area is weak and heterogeneous and has experienced low stress concentration and large number of aftershocks in the last fifty years.
Time scale dependence, Gutenberg Richter's relationship, frequency-magnitude, b-value, a-value, seismicity, fifty years, South Africa
