Technological advances in seismic instrumentation and telecommunication permit the implementation ? S#\K^
of real-time rapid response and early warning systems. During large earthquakes, such systems are 4$"DbaC
capable of providing from a few seconds to a few tens of seconds of warning before the arrival of cFZCf8:zB
strong ground shaking and enable quick reports about the damage estimates to determine where Z(Q2Ue;}&
emergency response is most needed. An earthquake early warning and rapid response system can ,Og4
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provide the critical information needed to minimize loss of lives and property, and to direct rescue M##';x0
operations As part of the preparations for the future earthquake in Istanbul a Rapid Response and Early xtfRrX^
Warning system in the metropolitan area is in operation. For the Early Warning system ten strong %c/^_.
motion stations were installed as close as possible to the fault zone. Continuous on-line data from these .y4&rF$n
stations via digital radio modem provide early warning for potentially disastrous earthquakes. i|$z'HK;+
Considering the complexity of fault rupture and the short fault distances involved, a simple and robust B BL485`
Early Warning algorithm, based on the exceedance of specified threshold time domain amplitude hWEnn=BW
levels is implemented. The encrypted early warning signals will be communicated to the respective .;I29yk\XS
end users through a “service provider” company. The users of the early warning signal will be power [*Ju 3
and gas companies, nuclear research facilities, critical chemical factories, subway system and several ,4@|1z{bfm
high-rise buildings. Depending on the location of the earthquake (initiation of fault rupture) and the 5nLD j:C~
recipient facility the alarm time can be as high as about 8s. For the rapid response system one hundred m J
18 bit-resolution strong motion accelerometers were placed in quasi-free field locations (basement of >bm|%Ou"
small buildings) in the populated areas of the city, within an area of approximately 50x30km, to [aW =
constitute a network that will enable early damage assessment and rapid response information after a :jem~6i
damaging earthquake. Early response information is achieved through fast acquisition and analysis of `y!/F?o+!
processed data obtained from the network. A shake map and damage distribution map (using aggregate m *X7T
building inventories and fragility curves) will be automatically generated using the algorithm
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developed for this purpose. The shake and damage maps will be conveyed to the governor’s and G$JFuz)|
mayor’s offices, fire, police and army headquarters within 3 minutes using radio modem and GPRS B5=($?5^6%
communication
