April 4, 2011 - 09:59 AMT
Two-meter wide tectonic fault found across Azerbaijan

A strong fault in a tectonic plate from south towards north is observed across Azerbaijan.

According to Shaig Niftiyev, head engineer of the National Geological Service of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the tectonic fault goes through Lenkoran, Salyan and Shirvan regions and extends towards the northeastern . Though, the crack does not seem so wide on the surface, in fact, it is two meters in width. Currently, the tectonic fault is more actively observed in Salyan. The cracks here are recorded on Shirvan-Salyan highway and in several houses in Abad village.

The specialists of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and National Academy of Science of Azerbaijan have already held a monitoring in Salyan-Shirvan area. Specialists say the fault is caused by tectonic activeness in the Western Caspian area. According to observations, serious tectonic processes currently occur in this area. The 2.3-2.8-magnitude earthquakes in period between February 14 and 28, intensification of mud volcanoes and landslides make this conclusion logical. But stabilization is currently observed in the tectonic fault.

There is a plan to hold monitoring on other sections of the fault next week, Day.az reports citing ANS Press.