International seismological conference opened in Baku
On May 13, the opening ceremony of the international conference “Seismic hazard updates in the Caucasus and implications for modern engineering practices” took place in Baku.
The conference, organized by the Republican Seismic Survey Center of ANAS, was attended by the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, the Vice-President of ANAS, the head of the Division of Earth Sciences, Academician Ibrahim Guliyev, the General Director of the Republican Seismic Survey Center of ANAS, Corresponding Member of ANAS, Professor Gurban Yetirmishli, Deputy General Director for Scientific Work, Doctor of Philosophy in Technical Sciences, Associate Professor Rauf Muradov and heads of departments of the RSSC, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, about 30 world-famous seismologists and specialists from nine foreign countries.
At the opening ceremony, the General Director of the RSSC ANAS, Corresponding Member of ANAS, Professor Gurban Yetirmishli spoke about the importance of holding an international conference in Baku and the reports presented by the participating countries. He said that during the discussions, which will last three days, issues of collecting and analyzing the latest seismic data in the Caucasus, the concept of modern building codes, improving the earthquake catalogue, seismic methods and requirements for hazard assessment, etc. will be discussed.
At the opening ceremony, the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli made a speech. Noting that the field of seismology in Azerbaijan is developing and the international relations of the Center are at a high level, the President of ANAS also spoke about the importance of holding an international seismological conference in Azerbaijan. The President of ANAS announced that an international event related to COP29 will be held in Azerbaijan this fall. Emphasizing that this event is related to the environment, the President of ANAS said: “Since the science of seismology is also related to the environment and the Earth, I think that today’s conference can be considered as a preparatory event for COP29.”
In his speech, the President of ANAS also touched upon the activities of the Republican Seismic Survey Center and noted that the management and employees of the Center actively inform the population about earthquakes. Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that Azerbaijan is located in a seismic region and earthquakes are felt here from time to time. He wished success to the conference, noting that Azerbaijani seismologists are working with the most modern equipment and technological programs.
Later, a representative of the US Energy Department, William Wanderer, spoke about the importance of holding the conference “Seismic hazard updates in the Caucasus and implications for modern engineering practices” in Baku. According to him, since the South Caucasus region is a seismically active region, conducting seismological studies here is of great importance. Noting that seismological research in Azerbaijan is at a high level, the American guest said that as a result of the three-day discussions taking place in Baku, good results will be obtained.
Professor Tuna Onur from the University Victoria, Canada, gave a presentation at the conference on the topic of “Seismic Hazard Assessment”.
After the opening ceremony, the participants took photographs and discussions at the conference continued in working mode.
Please note that the conference will last until May 15.