DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL SEISMIC PROTECTION SERVICE OF ARMENIA: LOWERING OF THE WATER LEVEL IN LAKE SEVAN MAY CAUSE EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS

ArmInfo
2010-02-11 22:31:00

ArmInfo. Lowering of the water level in Lake Sevan theoretically
may cause earthquake shocks, said Alvaro Antonyan, Director of
the National Seismic Protection Service of Armenia, during today’s
press-conference. He added that Armenian seismologists are currently
considering this probability.

According to the chief seismologist of the republic, if an earthquake
is "prepared", i.e. if big underground energy has accumulated and
reached a critical point, an earthquake shock may occur in case of
additional pressure. "As the surface of Lake Sevan is large enough,
lowering of the water level considerably changes the force of pressure,
which may result in a quake",- said Antonyan. He added that warm
weather does not provoke earthquake shocks as earthquake focuses in
Armenia are situated in depth.