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OFFICIAL DOUBTS QUAKE RESISTANCE OF ARMENIAN CAPITAL'S BUILDINGS
Second TV Channel, Armenia
Dec 7 2006
The seismic risk is currently higher in Yerevan [than in the area
of Gyumri, formerly Leninakan, where a devastating earthquake struck
in 1988].
The Armenian Seismic National Defence department head, Alvaro Antonyan,
has said that Armenia is one of several post-soviet countries with
a National Seismic Special Construction Code. He noted that not all
buildings meet this code. The criteria are adhered to in the [1988]
earthquake zone because of international organizations' funding
and supervision. He added that Zvartnots International airport's
new building has also been constructed according to the national
seismic norms.
He said that his organization is responsible for seismic risk
supervision, but it does not have any influence on adherence to it.
He said that in countries where a seismic risk exists, the community
needs to prepare, as otherwise more than 30 per cent may die in
a quake.
He said that seismic activity in the region has been high during
recent months. He also said that the equipment used by his department
can predict major tremors two months in advance. He said that
decision-makers are strict when an earthquake happens, but after
some time they forget about it. He said. "We have to prepare for an
earthquake to happen at any time, even if it's 10, 15 or 20 years
from now".
Second TV Channel, Armenia
Dec 7 2006
The seismic risk is currently higher in Yerevan [than in the area
of Gyumri, formerly Leninakan, where a devastating earthquake struck
in 1988].
The Armenian Seismic National Defence department head, Alvaro Antonyan,
has said that Armenia is one of several post-soviet countries with
a National Seismic Special Construction Code. He noted that not all
buildings meet this code. The criteria are adhered to in the [1988]
earthquake zone because of international organizations' funding
and supervision. He added that Zvartnots International airport's
new building has also been constructed according to the national
seismic norms.
He said that his organization is responsible for seismic risk
supervision, but it does not have any influence on adherence to it.
He said that in countries where a seismic risk exists, the community
needs to prepare, as otherwise more than 30 per cent may die in
a quake.
He said that seismic activity in the region has been high during
recent months. He also said that the equipment used by his department
can predict major tremors two months in advance. He said that
decision-makers are strict when an earthquake happens, but after
some time they forget about it. He said. "We have to prepare for an
earthquake to happen at any time, even if it's 10, 15 or 20 years
from now".