Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

The first map of potential seismogenic zones in Azerbaijan has been prepared.

The Republican Seismological Service Center of the Azerbaijani National Academy of Sciences has officially revealed the potential seismogenic zones of the country.

“For the first time in Azerbaijan, a map of areas where strong earthquakes are possible has been prepared,” Gurban Yetirmishli, Director of the Center, said.

The map shows the seismogenic zones with a potential force, he added.

Yetirmishli said these areas are the southeastern slope of the Greater Caucasus, Shamakhi-Ismayilli zone, Ganjabasar, northwestern zones including Sheki, Zagatala, Balaken, the northern zone of Guba, Siyazan, Devechi, Talysh zone, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

The most seismically active zone is Shamakhi-Ismayilli, he stressed.

The scientist also noted that the seismogenic zones with a potential force are covering the whole country.

"In general, Azerbaijan is located in a seismically active zone. Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt passes through Azerbaijan," he added.

There is no aseismic area in Azerbaijan, Yetirmishli underlines.

Last year was marked with intensification of the seismic processes, as well as the most powerful earthquakes in Azerbaijan for the past 15 years.

Six earthquakes measuring over 5.0 on the Richter scale occurred in Azerbaijan in 2014, releasing a large volume of energy.

Overall, more than 8,000 earthquakes were registered in the country in 2014. These earthquakes occurring at a great depth, have forced the tremors affecting a large area, but there was no damage.