Technological advances in seismic instrumentation and telecommunication permit the implementation SvvNk
of real-time rapid response and early warning systems. During large earthquakes, such systems are w <"mS*Q
capable of providing from a few seconds to a few tens of seconds of warning before the arrival of } -;)G~h/"
strong ground shaking and enable quick reports about the damage estimates to determine where ?f q!BV
emergency response is most needed. An earthquake early warning and rapid response system can a`f@&A`z
provide the critical information needed to minimize loss of lives and property, and to direct rescue ]Z6? m
operations As part of the preparations for the future earthquake in Istanbul a Rapid Response and Early u
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Warning system in the metropolitan area is in operation. For the Early Warning system ten strong S`FIb'J
motion stations were installed as close as possible to the fault zone. Continuous on-line data from these oxL<\4)WJ
stations via digital radio modem provide early warning for potentially disastrous earthquakes. [Eu) ~J*
Considering the complexity of fault rupture and the short fault distances involved, a simple and robust C|3Xz[k{
Early Warning algorithm, based on the exceedance of specified threshold time domain amplitude ZOa| lB (,
levels is implemented. The encrypted early warning signals will be communicated to the respective ZxT
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end users through a “service provider” company. The users of the early warning signal will be power `#`jU"T |
and gas companies, nuclear research facilities, critical chemical factories, subway system and several BQg3+w:>
high-rise buildings. Depending on the location of the earthquake (initiation of fault rupture) and the X~"p]V_
recipient facility the alarm time can be as high as about 8s. For the rapid response system one hundred Y&Fg2_\">
18 bit-resolution strong motion accelerometers were placed in quasi-free field locations (basement of to&,d`k=-
small buildings) in the populated areas of the city, within an area of approximately 50x30km, to H7;, Kr
constitute a network that will enable early damage assessment and rapid response information after a {!qnHv\S
damaging earthquake. Early response information is achieved through fast acquisition and analysis of s>L.V2!$0
processed data obtained from the network. A shake map and damage distribution map (using aggregate =*lBJ-L
building inventories and fragility curves) will be automatically generated using the algorithm 7t< MHdw
developed for this purpose. The shake and damage maps will be conveyed to the governor’s and CyYr5 Dz
mayor’s offices, fire, police and army headquarters within 3 minutes using radio modem and GPRS e:'56?|
communication
