Azerbaijan National Academy of Science

The publishing house "Springer" was published the first volume of the two-volume "Geological Sciences of Azerbaijan", authored by the President of ANAS, Academician Akif Alizadeh, Vice-President of ANAS, Academician Ibrahim Guliyev, Academician-Secretary of Department of Earth Sciences, Academician Fakhraddin Gadirov, PhD in geophysics, Associate Professor Lev Eppelbaum.

This book provides a multi-scale and multidisciplinary perspective on the geology of Azerbaijan, a country characterized by a unique tectonic and geological setting including the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, the Talysh Mountains, and the Caspian and Kur Basins. Essential geological and geophysical data shed light on the principles of the evolution of the Earth within the region under study, seismic activity and the distribution of economic deposits. Further, special attention is paid to the history of geological-geophysical studies in the region. A combined, comprehensive interpretation of Azerbaijan’s near-surface and deep geological structure is achieved on the basis of an integrative analysis of stratigraphic, magmatic, morphological, lithological, tectonic, neotectonic, geophysical and other data, combining not only Russian and Azerbaijani-published, but also wholly new geological data.

Volume I addresses the needs of researchers focused on geology and the environmental sciences, but will also be of interest to anyone looking to learn more about the natural phenomena in Azerbaijan, a beautiful country situated at the boundary between Europe and Asia.

Taking into account the interest of the scientific community in the publication, one of the authors of the book, academician Fakhraddin Gadirov gave an interview about the work to AZERTAG. We offer our readers an interview.

-Issue of the book "Geological sciences of Azerbaijan. First volume: The geology" in the international publishing house "Springer" is very big event for domestic science. Please inform about the book.

-During the Soviet period for an exit of Azerbaijan to the international scene in the field of sciences about Earth there were great difficulties. In 60-70th of the past century "Geology of Azerbaijan" has been for the first time provided as a part of "Geology of the USSR". Despite the numerous researches conducted using new methods those years in Azerbaijan, any of them it has not been published in books and monographs. They have found the reflection only in articles. The special attention has been paid to the matter by the president of ANAS, Academician Akif Alizadeh that, led to promotion in the field of bringing to world community of scientific researches. In the 1990th, when Azerbaijan has only recovered the independence, Academician A. Alizadeh has set a goal to prepare geology of Azerbaijan in the form of the new edition. Having got to this work, the leading scientists of our institute managed to publish nine volumes of the book "Geology of Azerbaijan" in Russian. Of course, it was an important event in Azerbaijan in the field of sciences about Earth. Editions have won great success. Further, Academician Akif Alizadeh has assigned a task to scientists to issue this edition in English as despite availability of numerous researches, referred to our scientists very little. The main reason for that served the insufficient number of monographs and articles in English. In 2008, having started execution of the order of the academician Akif Alizadeh, we have prepared the book "Geological Sciences of Azerbaijan" in English. Note that, to publish the book in Springer publishing house is not a simple question. Here the close attention is paid to any trifle. But thanks to editors of publishing house, their help in correction of some not clear fragments the book was issued in graceful registration. By the way, I would like to once again express my appreciation to help us in the writing of this book to colleagues - Professor of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology R.Relingeru, corresponding member of ANAS T.Kengerli, E.Alizade, A.Feyzullaev, G.Etirmishli, Ch.Aliyev and Professor A.Mukhtarov.

-Which areas of geological science represented in the publication? What can you say about the importance of this book in the integration of Azerbaijani science into the world?

-As you know, the publishing house "Springer" produced a series of "Geology of the regions" in which there was a significant gap in the "Geological Sciences of Azerbaijan", to fill that refers to the works of Georgian, Russian and Armenian scientists. But it is encouraging that already invoked are directly on the books of Azerbaijani scientists, for the purchase of which the editors received numerous requests from around the world. This, in turn, is considered to be the beginning of a successful integration of the Azerbaijani science. Department of Earth Sciences of ANAS also provided an English translation and publication of other monographs. At present, for us it does not present any particular difficulties, because now we have a lot of graduate students and undergraduates, fairly well mastered the English language. The aim is to integrate the domestic monographs and articles in international science.

-How many "Geology of Azerbaijan" book volumes provided to prepare?

-The book consists of two volumes. The first volume contains detailed information about Azerbaijan's geology is characterized by unique tectonic-geological structures, as the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, Talish Mountains, the Caspian Sea basin and the Kura depression. When covering the history of geological and geophysical research in Azerbaijan, geomorphological features, stratigraphy and lithology, magmatism, tectonics, neotectonic phenomena and mud volcanism. On the basis of a comprehensive analysis of geological, geophysical and other data in the book presents new integral interpretative models reflecting surface and deep geological structures of Azerbaijan. The first is designed for researchers working in the field of geology, geophysics, geochemistry and environmental sciences (as well as students in related disciplines). In addition, the book will be of interest to the general public interested in learning about the unique natural phenomena of Azerbaijan.

The second volume also contains information on mineral resources of Azerbaijan, the oil and gas industry and the research conducted in this area, the issues of engineering geology geophysics, environmental issues. We believe that the second volume will be a useful source for use in a variety of organizations.

The second volume of a particular place is given to the definition of geophysical seismic activity in the region, relating to the relationships of the Arabian and Eurasian lithospheric plates. The book is intended for scientists, professionals and students involved in the application of different geophysical methods of analysis of the commercial potential of Azerbaijani fields and mud volcanoes, exploring the underground structure, definition of deep tectonics and structural characteristics of the study area, the development of physical and geographical 3D - models and seismic forecasts.

-Please tell us about authors of the book.

The book is prepared by 4 authors about whom short information is provided in the edition. One of authors is the world famous scientist in this sphere, the author of numerous works, Academician A.Alizadeh. In a number of the Russian classical textbooks founded reflection of its opening in the field of paleontology. He has performed many researches in the field of oil, including went in for tectonics of the Caucasus. The second author is the famous scientist in the field of modeling of depressions, studying of deep-laying oil fields, gas-water childbirth, Academician Ibrahim Guliyev. The following author is Lev Eppelbaum, who is originally from Baku. In due time he worked with us, and now he is Professor of Tel Aviv University of Israel. He has very big merits in studying of geologic-geophysical spheres of Azerbaijan. It is known that, AR President Ilham Aliyev has assigned big tasks to our scientists concerning leadership of domestic science in the region, as well as economies. I am sure that, the book "Geological Sciences of Azerbaijan" which was issued in "Springer" publishing house will play an important role in the matter.

Other departments of ANAS should also follow this way. We should publish a lot of articles in English. At the same time, these articles should be submitted to the scientific community in the Azerbaijani language. Should be noted that, the materials in the journal "Herald of the Department of Earth Sciences" published in two versions: in Azerbaijani and Russian languages and in English.

Academician A. Alizadeh also does not forget about the students of Azerbaijan. On his instructions in a short time we have published and distributed to all universities a three-volume book "Geology of Azerbaijan". We are also planning give the electronic version of the book electronic libraries of some universities. With confidence I can say that, further steps in this direction will continue.

I express my deep appreciation to all who participated in the publication of the book "Geology of Azerbaijan". I believe that, this book will play a major role in the integration of domestic science in the world.

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