Frequent earthquakes determined the image of the city in the first decades of existence : straight streets , one-story adobe buildings , orchards . However , after the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake that destroyed up to 98 % of the city , it was decided to build it again . In general , retaining the old plan , the builders have expanded and straightened streets and erected at their home in the South-Stalinist architectural style , which is found in many resort towns of the Soviet Union
1948 Ashgabat earthquake
1948 Ashgabat earthquake
Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Avenue