SEISMICITY of ARMENIA and ADJACENT TERRITORIES in 2015

We have analyzed the seismicity of Armenia and adjacent territories in 2015. The highest level of seismic activity was recorded in the northern part of the Republic, in the focal zone of the Spitak earthquake 1988. The tangible earthquakes of the territory of Armenia are described.

SPITAK-V EARTHQUAKE on July 6, 2014 with МL=4.0, I0=5–6 (Armenia)

The work presents the results of macroseismic survey of the Spitak-V earthquake which occurred on July 6, 2014 with МL=4.0, I0=5–6 in the focal zone of the destructive Spitak earthquake 1988 with I0=10. The isoseismal map of the July 6, 2014 earthquake was made and the focal mechanism parameters were determined. According to the focal mechanism decision, the movement in the source was a strike-slip with minor uplift components.

ARMENIA

The article describes changes in the composition and equipment of the network of seismic stations in Armenia, which ensured a representative level of earthquake registration in Armenia in 2014 with K3min=8.0. The analysis of seismicity on the territory of Armenia and neighboring regions is carried out, focal mechanisms of 17 earthquakes are determined using the signs of P-wave first arrivals at the seismic stations of Armenia and neighboring countries. Within the Republic, the highest level of seismic activity in 2014 was in the North, in the focal zone of Spitak earthquake 07.12.1988 with MLH=6.8, I0=10. The macroseismic effect of earthquakes felt in Armenia is described.

25-year follow-up of treated and not-treated adolescents after the Spitak earthquake: course and predictors of PTSD and depression

Background There is a paucity of long-term prospective disaster studies of the psychological sequelae among survivors. Methods At 1½ and 25 years after the Spitak earthquake, 142 early adolescents from two cities were assessed: Gumri (moderate–severe exposure) and Spitak (very severe exposure). The Gumri group included treated and not-treated subjects, while the Spitak group included not-treated subjects. Instruments included: DSM-III-R PTSD-Reaction Index (PTSD-RI); DSM-5 PTSD-Checklist (PCL); Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS); and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Results (1) Between 1½ and 25 years, PTSD rates and mean scores decreased significantly in the three groups (over 50%). However, at 25 years 9.1–22.4% met DSM-5 PTSD criteria. (2) At 1½ years, the Spitak group had higher PTSD-RI (p < 0.001) and DSRS scores (p < 0.001) compared to the Gumri-not-treated group. At 25 years, the Spitak group that had experienced fewer post-earthquake adversities (p < 0.03), had a greater decrease in PTSD-RI scores (p < 0.02), and lower CES-D scores (p < 0.01). (3) Before treatment, PTSD-RI and DSRS scores did not differ between the Gumri-treated and not-treated groups. At 25-years, the Gumri-treated group showed a greater decrease in PTSD-RI scores (p < 0.03), and lower mean PTSD-RI (p < 0.02), PCL (p < 0.02), and CES-D (p < 0.01) scores. (4) Predictors of PTSD symptom severity at 25-years included: home destruction, treatment, social support, post-earthquake adversities, and chronic medical illnesses. Conclusion Post-disaster PTSD and depressive symptoms can persist for decades. Trauma-focused treatment, alleviation of post-disaster adversities, improving the social ecology, and monitoring for chronic medical illnesses are essential components of recovery programs.

Techno-Economic and Material Science Expediency of Modernization and the Renaissance of Large-Panel House Building in Armenia

For Armenia, the main criterion of reliability and durability of buildings is the level of their seismic resistance. The experience of the 1988 Spitak devastating earthquake showed that the only type of apartment buildings that did not collapse and did not cause any loss of life or material damage were large paneled houses, which were designed for lower levels of seismic impact. In spite of the undeniable fact of high seismic stability and effective technical and economic indicators given in the article, further, due to low heat-insulating indicators of applied wall protection panels and limited spans up to 6m, the construction of such buildings in the republic was gradually reduced and has already undeservedly reached almost complete cessation. In this regard, it should be noted that at present there are already a lot of highly effective thermal insulation materials and technologies that allow to easily solve this problem of external walls and get large paneled buildings with a high level of energy saving. As for the limitation of spans, it cannot be considered a decisive factor, because spans up to 6m are quite acceptable for the construction of social apartment buildings. 80% of the population has a strong demand for such housing. The country has an acute shortage of affordable, high-seismic safe houses and this is especially acute now in the Spitak earthquake zone, where after more than 30 years, many still live in temporary houses. We believe that the construction of large-panel buildings would have solved this problem long ago. From all given it is possible to conclude that modernization according to achievements of a science and revival of large-panel housing construction for republic has quite reasonable technical-economic and town-planning basis.