Geophysics
The Department of the Geophysical Methods
for Search and Survey of Mineral Deposits was formed in 1966 in structure of
Geology Faculty. The first head of the Chair was selected Assistant of
Professor H. Vancyan.
Geophysics is a field that integrates
geology, mathematics, and physics in order to understand how the Earth works.
Geophysicists study Earth processes through a combination of laboratory
experiments, computational and theoretical modeling, remote imaging, and direct
observation.
Much, though not all, of the research we
are engaged in can be grouped in three broad research themes: Search and Survey
of Mineral Deposits, i.e. Exploration Geophysics, Environment (Engineering
Geophysics), and Hazards. Among the research topics pursued by faculty and
graduate students are: measuring crustal deformation; high resolution imaging
of the shallow crust using active source seismology; earthquake source studies
and hazard analysis; rock physics for environmental remediation; state of
stress and mechanical behavior of the crust; passive imaging of the crust and
upper mantle; and regional tectonics and continental evolution.
In the structure of the Chair of
Geophysics has been included the laboratories of investigation of physical-mechanical
properties of minerals, exploration seismology, electrometrical, magnetometrical and radiometrical
studies, were fulfilled educational and research works. In parallel with
lectures and practical works also have been done different research works with
students. In particular, there has been carried out complex researches of Earth
deep structure studies; determination of different geological structures in
geophysical fields; search and survey of mineral deposits using geophysical
various methods. There have been done also works in the field of geodynamics:
lithosphere movement studies and their possible influence in preparation of
strong earthquakes. A huge work has been done in the field of determination of physicomechanical properties of rocks in all territory of
Armenia.
A significant place takes an engineering
geophysics both in educational and research activity. In particular,
engineering geophysics application in hydrogeology- search and survey of
underground water resources, determination of their spatial distribution and
allocation and the solution of their effective utilization problems; in
engineering geology- research and study of hazardous geological processes and
phenomena's such as landslides, karsts, floods est., forecasting of these
processes and appropriate engineering actions, safety exploration of hydrotechnical structures, seismic hazard assessment and microzonation, archeological and geoecological
studies.
Practical research in the specified areas
has been carried out in the territory of Armenia and adjacent regions.
Since 2001 the chair was renamed to the
Chair of Geophysics. Now the head of the chair is Dr. Prof .
R Minasyan.
People: The investigation and mapping of
deep structures of the crust in the territory of Armenia using geophysical
methods was done by Dr. E. Hadgimamudov and Dr. L. Tadevosyan. They have compiled the gravimetric field map
for the territory of Armenia in 1:500000 and 1: 200000 scales.
The investigation and study of dynamical
processes and forecasting of landslide in the territory of Armenia are a part
of the research activities in the chair. These studies are carried out by Dr.
M. Grigoryan, who is the dean of the faculty of
Geology.
The investigations in the field of radiometrical studies also are very important research in
the chair and the leading specialist in this field is Dr. A. Sardaryan.
A huge study is carried out in the field
of electrical exploration by Dr. Prof. R. Minasyan
and Dr. Prof. V Vardanyan.
The other stage of research activity in
the chair was done by Prof. Avchyan. He was the head
of the laboratory of physical properties of minerals, has carry out a huge
studies of physicomechanical properties of rocks in
the territory of Armenia. Later his assistant Dr. G. Markosyan
continues this work.
The problems of seismology and seismic
hazard assessment also have the basic role in the studies of the chair, which
are carried out by Dr. V. Balassanyan.
In the chair of Geophysics in parallel
with lectures also the practical work fulfill by Dr. M. Mkrtchyan,
Dr. L. Mirzoyan, Dr. A. Melqonayn.
The department is an exciting and dynamic
place. It has approximately 10 regular and affiliated faculty members and
research scientists, 6 PhD students, and approximately 30 students. Each year,
we host visiting faculty and visiting scholars from adjacent regions (Iran,
Syria est.). Graduate studies in the Department of
Geophysics involve academic course work and independent research. During this
year 4 PhD students get degree in Geology: L. Mirzoyan-supervizor
Dr. Proff. S. Nazaretyan,
L. Sargsyan, and 2 PhD students from Syria A. Idris and S. Zejzafun- prof. Dr. Proff. R. Minasyan.