KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

At the initiative of the Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Geography of Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU), Suzanna Kakoyan, Head of the Population Outreach Department (POD) of the Regional Survey for Seismic Protection (RSSP) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, delivered a lecture at ASPU on March 11.

During the seminar discussion on the topic "Seismic Risks in the Republic of Armenia and the Code of Conduct," Suzanna Kakoyan spoke about earthquakes, their types, the concepts of magnitude and intensity, seismic zones and earthquake prone areas in the world, and types of seismic waves.

She also dwelt on the seismic risk of Armenia, which is located in one of the world's most active seismic zone, seismic activity, seismic hazard and its assessment, seismic risk reduction processes, etc.

Suzanna Kakoyan informed that seismic protection activities are underway across the country under the earthquake hazards reduction program. “Determined by a number of objective and subjective factors, the seismic risk of the territory of Armenia has reached its highest level,” she stressed. “The more and diverse the detected signs are, the greater the effectiveness of forecasting models is,” she continued. Suzanna Kakoyan added that earthquakes tend to recur, but it is still impossible to predict earthquakes.

Varduhi Hovhannisyan, Assistant Professor of the Chair of Geography and its Teaching Methods, said the Faculty has been cooperating with the RSSP, in particular, with the Garni Geophysical Observatory, for more than 5 years. ASPU students often visit the observatory. Schoolchildren also join the visits within the framework of pedagogical practices.

Let us add that pupils of Yerevan School № 2 named after Khachatur Abovyan were also present at the seminar. Varduhi Hovhannisyan emphasized that they value the connection and cooperation between universities, schools and the seismic service, which allows current and future educators to get acquainted with the code of conduct and safety tips which can save lives.

Speaking about the functions of the structure she heads Suzanna Kakoyan noted that awareness-raising activities on seismic protection and seismic risk are carried out with different age groups, which are aimed at developing their knowledge and skills. “We welcome the fact that ASPU is actively involved in the process. the meetings organized in various formats are aimed at raising public awareness on risk reduction,” she said in conclusion.