Vol. 51 No. 3 (244) (2017)

In the article the geological-tectonic structure issue of the Middle Jurassic Aparan suite is discusses. Analyzing literary data, the author shows that in the geological maps and their sections the Aparan suite is not correctly represented: there are stratigraphic and structural disagreements and the geological-tectonic model presented by V. Agamalyan does not define the real situation. According to the author, the Aparan volcanic suite is a flyschoid monoclinic structure of the southeastern direction, which is by the stratigraphic unconformity overlying the rocks of the Precambrian metamorphic complex.

The issues of environmental risk assessment in the frames of modern development of natural and human caused processes for the mountainous territories of the Republic of Armenia are considered. Specific models adequately reflecting this or that ecological situation are considered. This factor determines the prerequisites for the introduction of indicators of environmental risk, allowing to improve methods aimed at reducing social, economic and environmental consequences, natural disasters and their synergistic impact on the technosphere.

During recent years, the most effective and practical method for volcanic glass sourcing is the portable X-ray fluorescence. In spite of the reliability of this method and the growing demand, the Armenian obsidian sources have been analyzed by using the above-mentioned analytical method only in few studies. In order to make sourcing of any volcanic glass samples including archeological ones, a full database of so-called geological samples must be created first of all, which will include samples from all the sources of the region. Thus, this work is another attempt to study the Armenian obsidian sources, the ultimate goal of which is to create an analytical database of the sources using portable X-ray fluorescence method.

Features of intrayear-distribution of precipitation in Ararat Valley, an important natural and economic region of the republic, are studied and evaluated. Issues of intrayear-distribution of precipitation are discussed and studied as a monthly, and seasonal and annual basis. Taking into account the climatic characteristics of the region and the practical value of precipitation, allocated as warm or vegetation (IV–X ), hot (VII–VIII) and cold (XI–III), as well as the high-water periods.

Socio-economic geographic analysis of the Kotayk Province rural areas has been done in the article. It have been discussed the issues regarding to the province rural population and settlements forming, dynamics (1831–2015) and the modern situation. A special significance has been given to the changes in the rural resettlement structure of the province by the settlements population size, the distribution of population and settlements above sea level, as well as by the production specialization and socio-economic development problems of the rural settlements.

Based on different authors and own research results, interpretations and reasoning the theoretical bases of Geoecology and its scientific problems are analyzed and as well as some methodological fundamentals are suggested and justified for Geoecology.

The recreational assessment of hypsometric zones of the Northern Armenia relief (Shirak, Lori, Tavush) is given in the article. A large-scale map was drawn up for the study which shows not only hypsometric zones but also their recerational objects. And in order to assess the zones, an assessment scale was desinged.

Principles and factors promoting the formation of specialized zones of gardening, in the article are discussed in the article, as well as opportunities for fruit and grape raising in agricultural zones. Rational distribution of gardening on the slopes and valleys and its social-economic and ecological significance are grounded in the article.

Settlement dynamics tendencies during last three decades in RA mountainous and high mountainous areas were given based on the analysis and generalization of factual and statistical data. The problems connected with them have been revealed in the article. The research was done on the basis of permanent and current, rural and urban population, rural settlements population number, as well as population distribution by elevation zones.

Principles of the work and the results of a survey of the reference stations network on the territory of the RA are described in the article. Information about range on using of the network, as well as on the joint exchange of the network of base stations and the quasigeoid model is included. This survey once again proves the productivity of the technology and advantage over the use of traditional methods. The data presented in the article are obtained by field measurements and their further analysis. Comparison of the obtained data with international data showed that the network of base stations in the Armenia is in compliance with international norms and standards, which makes it possible to conduct research with the help of this network, being sure of the reliability of the data.