Millions of years ago, in the place of the present-day Alpine-Himalayan system, there existed a geosynclinal depression, known as the Tethys Ocean. The Armenian Highlands were formed approximately 25–30 million years ago due to the Alpine orogenic processes occurring in the region.
Geology of Armenia
The Republic of Armenia is located in the northeastern part of the Armenian Highlands. The surface of its territory represents a folded–block structure that has been fragmented into separate units as a result of recent tectonic movements formed within the Kura–Arax intermontane basin.
In terms of geological structure, the Armenian Highland is one of the most distinctive regions of the continent. It contains formations from virtually all geological eras, ranging from the oldest Precambrian metamorphic complexes to Quaternary volcanic rocks and lacustrine–fluvial deposits.