News archive :: Year 2005

18-11-2005 06:26

Working meeting with President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A.Nazarbaev at Seismology Institute

The working meeting of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev with the leading scientists studying the issues related to the seismic hazard and the earthquake prediction was hold on November 7, 2005 in Almaty. Minister on the emergency situations Sh. Kulmahanov, Akim of Almaty I. Tasmagambetov, Chairman of  Security Council Utemuratov, Director of Seismology Institute of DES RK  E. Nusipov, Director of The Institute of Ionosphere of MES RK V.Drobzhev, Director of The Institute of Space Explorations B. Suimembaev, Director of NPK "Prognoz" M. Haidarov, Chairman of Experimental Methodical Expedition of MES RK Beisembaev and Deputy Director of The Institute of Geophysical Research of NNC RK -Manager Of Data Centre N. Mihailova took part in the meeting  at Seismology Institute of Ministry of Education and Science (MES) RK - the head organization of the Republic related to the seismic issues.

 President of RK determined the purpose of meeting as examination of state program execution for development, warning and liquidation of natural and man-caused emergency situations. At first, President visited the Seismic Data Centre located at the Central seismic station "Almaty" in Seismology Institute and the Laboratory of Geometrical Sounding Analysis. Later President had a discussion with the scientists.   

Director of Seismology Institute E.N. Nusipov recounted about state of seismic observations in RK, practical results of research activities in the field of seismic hazard evaluation, long-term and medium-term earthquake prediction. It was marked that during last years Seismology Institute performs the work on seismic monitoring in Western Kazakhstan according to the agreements with the research engineers who developed deposits. List of them is coordinated with Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) RK. Seismicity study of Caspian Sea region of Kazakhstan and adjacent oblasts has been begun. The Institute of Ionosphere and the Institute of Space Explorations of MES RK have a cooperated program to use Earth geometrical sounding for the seismic prediction.

Regarding to the systems of seismic observations it was mentioned that seismic monitoring in our country was carried out by forces of two organizations - Seismology Institute of MES RK and National Nuclear Centre of RK. A location map of monitoring station and NNC RK Data Centre was provided. President asked to specify if the net of NNC RK stations was independent and received affirmative reply. In the report, E.N. Nusipov emphasized the necessity in expansion and modernization of observation net of Seismology Institute. President wondered what fundamental difference should be between new and old stations and what merit the new observation net had for earthquake prediction. He said he was aware of that the problem of short-term prediction was not solved anywhere in the world. However, we should think of how to approach the solution of the problem having used all the world experience.

During the meeting, Minister of ES RK Sh. Kulmahanov and Mayor of South capital I. Tasmagambetov recounted about force readiness of the country and city for the liquidation of earthquake aftermaths, about compliance of requirements to the construction of earthquake resistant buildings. Also a number of units of Emergency Situation Agency, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs divisions which could come to the rescue for the population of suffered regions in case of earthquake was presented. Currently, many arrangements are undertaken for earthquake preparation, fortification of non-earthquake resistant buildings, training of people in activity in case of strong earthquake. However, it is not enough.

Then President suggested to supplement the speeches.

N.N. Mikhailova supplemented the report of E.N. Nusipov with information about NNC RK surveillance system which is the part of the world monitoring system. Due to the signed Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as a result of international co-operation in a short space of time within 1999-2005 one of the world  best monitoring system which enables a high precision watch on earthquake and explosions throughout Central Asia was created in Kazakhstan.  Every station of NNC RK net is a seismic group with first-rate equipment and satellite system of communication. The first years the system operation allowed discovering of new seismic active regions of Kazakhstan, which had not been previously reflected in maps. These are zones in Central Kazakhstan, near Semipalatinsk Test Site and in Northern Kazakhstan. President asked to specify the places in Northern Kazakhstan where earthquakes were observed. The answer was that events took place at territory close to Rudny town and Borovoe resort. N.N. Mikhailova pointed that NNC RK stations were located along the perimeter of Kazakhstan. To get data which are homogenous in precision and energy portliness for all the territory of Kazakhstan, NNC RK net needs for at least one new project - seismic group in Central Kazakhstan. This will make possible to study seismic processes not only at the small test sites, but in the tectonic zone stretched out of the bounds of Kazakhstan. The issues of earthquake prediction can be solved only with such approach. Then N.N. Mikhailova raised a question about establishment of reserve centre for data processing far from Almaty where information can be transferred automatically by satellite links. This is necessary for events of the strongest earthquakes which may cause damage of communication lines and centers of data processing located in Almaty.

President agreed that the problem was raised in a correct way and the issue about the reserved centre should be envisaged.  

I. Tasmagambetov noted the issue of information distribution as sensitive. Currently, a way of urgent interruption of TV and radiobroadcast for informing about the sensible earthquake is under development and has already been put into practice.

V.I. Drobzhev said that it was necessary to intensify the basic research into earth structure. Without the investigations, the problem of earthquake prediction will not be solved.

Pursuant to meeting results, President gave instruction to the Government to develop the general program on the earthquake warning involving all the profile organizations of various departments and the complex of measures for the activity coordination for the case of natural disaster.

First, the further development of the basic and applied investigations in the field of seismology is necessary. For this purpose, as N.A. Nazarbayev emphasized the capabilities of all profile research centres, investigations performed by scientists should be joined.  

Second, modernization of surveillance system, its technical, software, dataware and mathematical development is required.

Third, President paid his attention on the readiness to face the shock of nature, to liquidate the earthquake aftermath.

Regarding to the reserved centre, Presidents said again that this issue should be envisaged.

The Head of the State called upon the scientists to study international experiment in the field of earthquake prediction in detail without limiting only to monitoring of events, to expand international cooperation with all International Centres, to train specialists and to exchange data and methods.

Specialists of the Institute of Geophysical Researches NNC RK have already started to elaborate proposals upon the instructions of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.