Technological advances in seismic instrumentation and telecommunication permit the implementation A>$VkGo
of real-time rapid response and early warning systems. During large earthquakes, such systems are )@3ce'
capable of providing from a few seconds to a few tens of seconds of warning before the arrival of aI|<t^X
strong ground shaking and enable quick reports about the damage estimates to determine where _VR Sdr5
emergency response is most needed. An earthquake early warning and rapid response system can B:tST(
provide the critical information needed to minimize loss of lives and property, and to direct rescue `OnN12`
operations As part of the preparations for the future earthquake in Istanbul a Rapid Response and Early A^JeB<,
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Warning system in the metropolitan area is in operation. For the Early Warning system ten strong xyx.1o
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motion stations were installed as close as possible to the fault zone. Continuous on-line data from these <> f
stations via digital radio modem provide early warning for potentially disastrous earthquakes. 56*}}B$?
Considering the complexity of fault rupture and the short fault distances involved, a simple and robust jz|zq\Eek
Early Warning algorithm, based on the exceedance of specified threshold time domain amplitude M"K$81
levels is implemented. The encrypted early warning signals will be communicated to the respective J[ UL
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end users through a “service provider” company. The users of the early warning signal will be power cW,wN~
and gas companies, nuclear research facilities, critical chemical factories, subway system and several {W } .z
high-rise buildings. Depending on the location of the earthquake (initiation of fault rupture) and the 2|o6~m<pE
recipient facility the alarm time can be as high as about 8s. For the rapid response system one hundred %#NaM\=8v
18 bit-resolution strong motion accelerometers were placed in quasi-free field locations (basement of Um\Nd#=:
small buildings) in the populated areas of the city, within an area of approximately 50x30km, to YF @'t~_Z
constitute a network that will enable early damage assessment and rapid response information after a >#R< *?*D}
damaging earthquake. Early response information is achieved through fast acquisition and analysis of !>/U6h,_
processed data obtained from the network. A shake map and damage distribution map (using aggregate ~\K+)(\SNp
building inventories and fragility curves) will be automatically generated using the algorithm v'.?:S&m
developed for this purpose. The shake and damage maps will be conveyed to the governor’s and "gdm RE{x
mayor’s offices, fire, police and army headquarters within 3 minutes using radio modem and GPRS $.(>Sj1
communication
