Turkmen seismic scientists have made deserved contribution to the world science. Our fellow countryman, native of Ashgabat Emil Esenov is one of them. Despite his age, he continues working amazing with his hard work and commitment to his job, to which he dedicated all his life.
Three month ago, his personnel honored their colleague, the Head Scientist of Scientific Department, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences E. Esenov in the Scientific and Research Institute of Seismic Construction of the Ministry of Construction and Architecture. He has celebrated his 85th anniversary and 65 years of scientific and production activity.
1959 was a year that marked the beginning of work carrier of Emil Esenov when he graduated physics and mathematics faculty of Turkmen State University. By that time, the Geophysics and Seismology Department chaired by Academic Y. N. Godin, to whom young specialist addressed, has been opened in the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. The Academic asked if Emil Esenov would agree to work in geophysical expeditions as a laborer. Emil went to Bayramaly with readiness and four months of work was promoted from ordinary worker to junior engineer. Soon, Esenov was transferred to the department, which has become Academic Institute of Seismology with the time.
Having completed his post-graduate study in Moscow in 1969, he successfully defended his candidate thesis in the Institute of Physics of Earth named after O. Y. Schmidt of the UCCR Academy of Sciences. Thereafter, E. Esenov was in charge of the laboratory of engineering seismology for 38 years, first, in his Institute of Seismology and since 2009 in Scientific and Research Institute of Seismic Construction of the Ministry of Construction. In 1994, he successfully defended his doctoral thesis.
The scientists has become interested in totally new for Turkmenistan direction of seismology – seismic zoning (SZ). He was one of the authors of CZ Map of Ashgabat, was involved in development and introduction of normative maps of seismic zoning as the general plan of development of the cities. Seismic zone maps of Balkanabat, Turkmenbashy, Bereket, Gyaurs Plane, Serdar, Hazar, Turkmenabat have been made under his leadership and participation.
During earthquake even in one city and place, similar buildings have different damages, - Emil Esenov says. For example, several similar two-store schools, electrical power-relay substations have been built in Ashgabat before the earthquake in 1948. During the disaster, some of them were completely destroyed, other required overhaul repair, the third ones received only minor damages. It turns out that soil in the foundation of some facilities can absorb underground impacts while other to increase their strength, studying soil characteristics, it can be defined how the soil will act during the strongest earthquake. Knowing this, recommendations are given to the project and construction organizations for proper construction in seismic zone.
There is one remarkable fact in biography of the scientist. In 1992 – 1995, Esenov was among international experts assessing the materials of seismic and geophysical studies for justification of construction of nuclear power station in Turkmensahra, Iran. Due to high seismic activity of this area detected by the scientist, which does not meet the requirements of IAEA, the construction of nuclear power station was moved to the coast of the Persian Gulf, to Busher Region.
He has made a quantitative assessment of the construction site of hydro-technical facility on Tejen – Gerirud River in Pulhatyn on Turkmen – Iranian border, which currently works successfully equally dividing the water for countries – Iran and Turkmenistan. In 1996 – 1998, the scientist participated in experimental works at the territory of Israel, which resulted in joint scientific report and publication of article in European Seismic Commission Bulletin.
Esenov continued that listening to scientists, architects and construction workers, I was convinced more that it is impossible to construct any facility or building without calculation of quantitative seismic activity and recommendations of seismic specialists. The recent practice in different regions of the planet has demonstrated that negligence of scientific development leads to bad consequences.
Esenov is the author of more than 250 scientific works including 7 monographs published in Turkmenistan, neighboring and distant countries. He has established scientific school and brought up collective of qualified specialists seismic soil study and zoning of seismic activity. At present time, he is a scientific mentor and consultant of 6 master degree and 2 doctorate degree aspirants who developed their theses for defend.
Emil Esenov is a member of Special Board for defending theses under the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan as well as Interdepartmental Commission for quality of construction, Scientific Councils of the Institute of Seismology and Physics of Atmosphere of the Academy of Science and Scientific and Research Institute of Seismic Construction under the Ministry of Construction, member of Commission for Seismic Construction and Seismology for reduction of natural and manmade impacts of Inter-governmental Cooperation Board of the CIS countries. He is also a holder of more than 40 certificates of introduction of scientific and technological development.
New version of seismic zoning of Ashgabat as the base of the General Plan with perspective of further development of the city as well as unique methodology for assessment of seismic risk – VSN 01-05 Normative Document are among recent works of Esenov. Regional scale of increment of seismic intensity and classification of soil according to seismic features for 9-point Richter scale zones of Turkmenistan is a significant input to assessment of seismic risks.
The problem of forecast of the earthquakes includes three components – predication of possible place of impact, its strength and period when it may happen. Seismic science cannot predict accurately the last component although geophysical scientists of our fragile world work on this subject for many years.
It is not the earthquake but wrongly built houses, under ruins of which people and man-made creations are killed, which present danger. While the time is unknown, it is reasonable to construct buildings and facilities in the way to withstand underground tremors, - Esenov said in conclusion. The stability and safety of the buildings are the guarantee of protection of people’s life.
Emil Esenov is a pride of Turkmen seismology. We wish good health, new ideas and thoughts for the glory of local science to this outstanding scientist and personality.
Karim AZIZOV
