George Ter-Stepanian
Understanding moving slopes and assessing geological hazards
George Ter-Stepanian was an Armenian scientist specializing in engineering geology and soil mechanics. Born in Tiflis in 1907, he graduated from the Tbilisi Polytechnic Institute in 1931. His long career was closely connected with geological research in Armenia.
He investigated landslides, slope stability and the slow deformation of soils over time. Combining field observations, geodetic measurements and mechanical analysis, he sought to explain how slopes move and how their hazards can be assessed.
These studies had practical importance for construction, roads and the safety of settlements. Ter-Stepanian also taught at higher education institutions in Yerevan and trained specialists. He died in 2006, leaving a legacy that linked sustained observation of the landscape with engineering analysis and the responsible planning of the built environment.