Earthquake risk in Armenia underestimated, seismic protection director says
YEREVAN, August 14. /ARKA/. The seismic danger across Armenia has been underestimated, Sos Markaryan, the Director of the Territorial Seismic Protection Service at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference, Markaryan highlighted that buildings in Armenia were constructed to withstand lower seismic activity than necessary. He warned that if a 9-point earthquake were to occur, the consequences could be severe.
Yerevan is located in a zone between two faults: the Yerevan Fault, running northwest, and the Garni Fault, located near the city. While the Yerevan Fault has a smaller potential, the Garni Fault, which recorded a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in 1726, poses a greater threat.
On August 12, at 2:02 AM local time, a 4.2 magnitude earthquake struck 9 km northwest of Martuni, with a depth of 10 km. It was felt at 5 points in the Gegharkunik region, 4 points in Kotayk, and 2-3 points in Yerevan.
