Giorgi Boichenko, the Head of the Geology Department of our institute, participated in a workshop organized in November by the University of Oxford (United Kingdom) titled “Workshop on Earthquake Geology and Active Fault Hazards.” The workshop was held in the Almaty region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in the village of Saty, located on the northern periphery of the Tien Shan mountain system.

The program included lectures, office-based tasks, and fieldwork, involving specialists from 14 countries. During the meetings, participants studied and examined the ground and surface deformations caused by the 1889 Chilik earthquake (magnitude 8.2) in the vicinity of Saty.

The workshop included the preparation of detailed topographic maps using RTK GPS and drones, the investigation of surface deformation in field conditions, and, in the final stage, the excavation of a paleoseismic trench across the earthquake-generated fault scarp. The paleoseismic trench was excavated south of Saty, on a clearly defined fault scarp (dimensions: length/width/depth — 20/3/3 meters). The cleaning, preparation, and subsequent study of the trench were carried out under the guidance of Italian paleoseismologists, who documented deformation zones, coseismic deformations, and the main tectonic fault plane. Samples were collected for dating and sent to the University of Oxford for further analysis.

Throughout the workshop, participants were introduced to fundamental research methods in active tectonics. Opportunities for collaboration were established with professionals in this field, several of whom expressed interest in working in Georgia.

Paleoseismic and archaeoseismic studies are essential components for assessing seismic risk. Unfortunately, Georgia currently lacks sufficient research in this area, which poses a significant challenge for the country’s modern Earth sciences. We hope that through similar workshops and training activities, with the involvement of our institute, we will be able to build a strong foundation for such research in Georgia. We also hope that future generations will develop interest and motivation so that, together, we can create a safer and more resilient living environment.