Geology and Geophysics of Russian South

Zaalishvili Vladislav Borisovich is a famous scientist in the field of geophysics and engineering seismology, he is an author and co-author of 330 publications, including 12 monographs, 7 methodological and teaching aids and 48 patents; he led and took part in 150 scientific and research works.

Zaalishvili V.B. created a new scientific direction of territory seismic hazard assessment on the basis of accounting nonlinear rock properties by powerful non-explosive sources, for the first time he introduced simple and effective motion indices in the form of squares of normalized and real vibration spectra, which determine absorption and nonlinearity of a medium, their universality caused wide use in practice, he introduced indices of weighted average vibration period and relief coefficient, worked out a number of unparalleled modern technologies of seismic hazard assessment of rocks, offered a new instrumental-calculation method of seismic microzonation, he created and actively develops scientific schools in the field of engineering seismology in Russia and Georgia.

In 2002 he organized and headed North-Caucasian Division (as a branch) of Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth till 2007. It won the competition of State Committee for Construction in 2003.

A postgraduate school on the specialties 25.00.10 – “Geophysics, geophysical methods of mineral exploration” and 25.00.36 – “Geoecology” was opened on his initiative in 2004.

In 2006 he created and headed the base chair of applied geophysics; he created scientific and educational center “Geoengineering” on the basis of NCIMM (STU) and CGI VSC RAS and RNO-A which won in 2009 and 2010 in 5 competitions for the right to conclude contracts within the FTP “Scientific and academic and teaching staff of innovative Russia” in 2009-2013. He also was a scientific supervisor of one of themes.

In 2005 Zaalishvili V.B. led the creation of the system of monitoring of hazardous natural-anthropogenic processes “Karmadon parametric polygon” and the first on North Caucasus net of seismic observation on the urbanized territory “Vladikavkaz”. For the first time ever he interpreted the unique records of the glacier Kolka collapse in 2002.

In 2005-2008 he led the creation of the first in Russia probabilistic seismic hazard maps of RNO-A in the form of the maps of DSZ (detailed seismic zoning). In 2009-2010 he led the creation of the first in the world probabilistic maps of seismic microzonation.

V.B. Zaalishvili enjoys authority with the international scientific community. He was a scientific supervisor of INTAS project (1999-2001), the head of TACIS project (2000), the head of the project of EURASIA Program (1999-2002), as a representative of Russia he was co-director of NATO Program “Science for peace” (2000-2005).
He is a member of Russian and Georgian association on earthquake engineering and protection against natural and anthropogenic impacts, a member of seismological society of America, Georgian geophysical society, he is an international expert of CIS experts league on the questions of seismic hazard and risk.

Zaalishvili V.B. is a chief editor of the journal “Geology and geophysics of the South of Russia”, member of editorial board of the journals “Vestnik of VSC RAS”, “Earthquake engineering. Constructions safety”, “Natural and anthropogenic risks. Constructions safety”, “Open Construction & Building Technology Journal”, “Journal of Georgian Geophysical Society”; more than once he was chairman and the member of organizing committees/scientific committees of international conferences in Russia and abroad.

He actively works with young scientists. One doctoral thesis and ten Candidate’s dissertations were defended under his direction.

His candidate Kharebov A.K. and postdoctoral student candidate of phys.-math. sciences Tuaeva Zh.D. were twice the winners in the nomination of “The best candidate of RAS” and “Candidates and Doctors of Sciences of RAS” in 2006.

In 2010 young scientists of the Center became the first winners of The Head of RNO-A Award in the field of science and technology for research work realized under his direction.

In 2014 his student D.A. Melkov was the winner of the contest for Grant awards of the President of the Russian Federation for state support of young Russian scientists – Sc. Candidates.

In 2010-2014 the projects realized under the direction of Zaalishvili V.B. or at his participation received 6 gold and one silver medals by the decision of international jury of XIII-XVI exhibitions of Moscow international salon of inventions and innovative technologies «ARCHIMEDES». The Center was awarded with two cups “For invention development in region” and “The star” of Bahrain delegation and Zaalishvili V.B. was awarded with a prize winner medal, the gold medal of Nikola Tesla of Serbia delegation, the order of “Gold Archimedes” “for valuable contribution to international development of science and technology”.

Zaalishvili V.B. is Honored Scientist of RNO-A (2006), he is awarded with a certificate of honour of RAS Presidium (2010, 2011, 2012), he is Honored scientist of Rome.