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TO FALL DOWN AS MATCH BOXES
[01:27 pm] 06 December, 2007
According to specialists, if seismic risk was properly evaluated,
maybe we would be able to avoid the devastating outcomes of the
earthquake in 1988. In the Soviet years seismic danger was evaluated 7
Bals in our Republic, while the true danger was 9 Bals.
Today the buildings constructed in 50-60s prevail in the
Republic. According to Alvaro Antonyan, Chief of the Armenian National
Service for Seismic Protection, majority of the buildings do not
correspond to the seismic safety standards and from this point of view
they are very risky.
On 7 December is the completion of 19-th year of the devastating
earthquake in Spitak. After the earthquake in Spitak, the National
Service for Seismic Protection was established in 1991. The
organization is engaged in the seismic risks problems. According to
Alvaro Antonyan, seismic risk is high in the capital, since majority
of the RA citizens live in the capital and the many newly constructed
skyscrapers are located in the capital, naturally the seismic risk is
high here. In 1999 the RA Government confirmed complex projects for
the reduction of seismic risks for the RA territory and for
Yerevan. The projects are foreseen for upcoming 30 years. Since the
Government cannot follow the quality of the implemented constructions,
then according to Mr Antonyan, the builders should peruse seismic
norms. Besides this, certain bodies should control, examine and
confirm the drafts of buildings.
As Mr Antonyan mentioned, elite buildings in the center of capital by
their prohibited thickness, may fall down like match boxes during an
earthquake and blockade the roads, which are necessary for ambulance,
for rescuing and for avoiding other risks.
In general, Armenia is considered a risky territory, thus devastating
earthquakes have always taken place in our country and will take
place. As the specialists mention, the Northern and Southern regions
of our Republic are more risky, among them are Shirak, Syunik,
Zangezur. The Northern part is more active for earthquakes. According
to Mr Antonyan, seismic energy is accumulated here, which may turn to
a strong or some weak earthquakes. This accumulated energy is equal to
a 5,5 magnitude earthquake. It may cause damages, but may not have
devastating outcomes.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
