Seismic deformations of topography at the Garny Village (Armenia, the Lesser Caucasus)

Abstract

A field of seismic deformations (seismotectonic and seismogravitational) of topography is found 15 to 20 km east of the Erevan center, the deformations probably being most significant ones within the whole Caucasian region. They cut across the southern slope of the Vokhchaberd Ridge and adjacent parts of lower tilted plateau and are formed by a system of intercrossed seismic steps and related forms, which coincide in direction with largest and most active faults of the region. Most of the dislocations are parallel to the transversal Ararat-Sevan fault of NE direction. The seismic steps are 5 to 10 m high, locally up to 40 m. The Garny seismic deformations complex was probably formed in the course of several seismic events, which might be correlated with known earthquakes dated to the 7th century B.C., the 9th century, and the 1679 A.D. earthquake.