EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE, THE ARMENIAN SSR, DECEMBER 7, 1988

Collapse of Stone masonry bearing-wall, Alivar, Armenia

Partial collapse of stone masonry bearing-wall building north of Alivar, about 10 km SW of Kirovakan. Such load-bearing masonry-wall buildings were very common in large towns and cities in Armenia. This building type was unable to resist lateral shaking because of inadequate or lacking connections and bond beams tying the entire building together. Photograph Credit: U.S. Geological Survey (C.J. Langer).