CauSIN

Objectives

The main objective of the project is to establish the basis for further activities directed to seismic risk reduction in the Caucasus region. For the successful realization of the set objectives the following tasks will be completed:

1. Database development
2. Seismic hazard assessment
3. Calibration for site selection for regional seismic network and CTBT
4. Tectonic studies to provide a quantitative framework for earthquake studies
5. Seismic risk assessment training

Ten institutions from Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan are participating in the Project:

1. Seismic Hazard Assessment Complex Center of the National Survey for Seismic Protection under the Government of the Republic of Armenia (SHACC)
2. Armenian Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth's Interior (AASPEI)
3. Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia (IGS NASA)
4. Institute of Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia (IM NASA)
5. The Scientific Research Company "GEORISK" (Georisk)
6. Institute of Geophysics, Georgian Academy of Sciences (IG)
7. Georgian Geological Service Center "GEOECO" (Geoeco)
8. Georgian Geophysical Society (GGS)
9. Geology Institute, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
10. Republic Center of Seismic Survey of ANAS

Implementation of the Project will support the creation of a shared regional database with quality control, which will include seismological, geological, geophysical, geodetic, geotechnical and other data as well as data on critical facilities that could have significant impact in the region if damaged. During the implementation of the Project existing scientific data will be collected and newly interpreted for input in the database. Based upon the newly created database the range of regional seismic hazard models will be formulated and seismic risk will be assessed for selected structures/facilities. In addition, the improved database will facilitate tectonic studies, including the development of physical/mathematical models for regional seismotectonic processes. These models will incorporate active tectonic structures throughout the region, including transborder regions.

Special attention will be paid to regional calibration aimed to site selection for installation of the regional seismic network and assisting to CTBT.

New and modern approaches to seismic risk assessment will be applied to assessing loss estimation for selected structures/facilities in the region. Training workshops and pilot training for policy makers and members of the media in each of the Caucasus countries will be conducted.

The information obtained during realization of the project will be shared with all interested parties through the project website (www.causin.org).