Technological advances in seismic instrumentation and telecommunication permit the implementation \eD#s
of real-time rapid response and early warning systems. During large earthquakes, such systems are kOR5'rh
capable of providing from a few seconds to a few tens of seconds of warning before the arrival of a.)Gd ]}g
strong ground shaking and enable quick reports about the damage estimates to determine where tK)E*!
emergency response is most needed. An earthquake early warning and rapid response system can lO},fM2j
provide the critical information needed to minimize loss of lives and property, and to direct rescue *k'D%}N:
operations As part of the preparations for the future earthquake in Istanbul a Rapid Response and Early {`fhcEC
Warning system in the metropolitan area is in operation. For the Early Warning system ten strong <%klrQya
motion stations were installed as close as possible to the fault zone. Continuous on-line data from these 1GB$;0 W),
stations via digital radio modem provide early warning for potentially disastrous earthquakes. ^SnGcr|a'
Considering the complexity of fault rupture and the short fault distances involved, a simple and robust krw Y_$q
Early Warning algorithm, based on the exceedance of specified threshold time domain amplitude 0 ]
e=
levels is implemented. The encrypted early warning signals will be communicated to the respective oeKI9p13\
end users through a “service provider” company. The users of the early warning signal will be power sl^i%xJ|l'
and gas companies, nuclear research facilities, critical chemical factories, subway system and several zp[Uh]-dMK
high-rise buildings. Depending on the location of the earthquake (initiation of fault rupture) and the ~5$V8yfx h
recipient facility the alarm time can be as high as about 8s. For the rapid response system one hundred ^ 6;n@
18 bit-resolution strong motion accelerometers were placed in quasi-free field locations (basement of '9cShe
small buildings) in the populated areas of the city, within an area of approximately 50x30km, to hKv3;j cd
constitute a network that will enable early damage assessment and rapid response information after a #I[tsly}
damaging earthquake. Early response information is achieved through fast acquisition and analysis of UlQZw*ce
processed data obtained from the network. A shake map and damage distribution map (using aggregate >*rsR R
building inventories and fragility curves) will be automatically generated using the algorithm ^G'8!!ys
developed for this purpose. The shake and damage maps will be conveyed to the governor’s and `9M:B&
mayor’s offices, fire, police and army headquarters within 3 minutes using radio modem and GPRS qH'T~# S
communication
