Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijan may launch a seismic equipment production, a source in the country’s IT-market told Trend.

Today, seismic equipment used in Azerbaijan is purchased mainly from the U.S., the UK and Norway, the source said, adding that the country can arrange the mass production of this equipment, but for this, products should be export-oriented.

The interviewee believes that involvement of foreign customers is a key moment, since this can reduce the prime cost of the finished product.

The source further noted that it is possible to produce vibration detectors and controllers adapted to work in the field conditions.

Currently more than 30 seismic stations are established in Azerbaijan. The supplier of the seismic equipment is American Kinemetrics Company. All stations are connected to the satellite system, while the leading station is located in the territory of the Academic Town in Baku.

Using this satellite, the leading station receives regular information from the vibration detectors installed in seismically active spots of the country.

Along with the seismic stations, Azerbaijan uses 25 GPS-stations. GPS-stations allow defining the displacement of the Earth's crust caused by earthquakes in the region, as well as to measure weak vibrations of the earth's crust with split-hair accuracy.

All measurement data is sent to the Republican Seismological Centre, where undergo other types of measurements and then is used to predict areas of high seismic activity.

Azerbaijan, located in seismically active zone, places a special emphasis on the development of seismic experience and installation of seismic stations. The first seismic station in Azerbaijan was established in 1902 in Baku.

Scientists believe that seismic zones with the potential to produce dangerous force cover the entire country, while the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt passes directly through Azerbaijan.

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Nazrin Gadimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @NazrinGadimova

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