Technological advances in seismic instrumentation and telecommunication permit the implementation S:YL<_oI|
of real-time rapid response and early warning systems. During large earthquakes, such systems are KV_Ga8hs
capable of providing from a few seconds to a few tens of seconds of warning before the arrival of H1nQ.P]_
strong ground shaking and enable quick reports about the damage estimates to determine where f
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emergency response is most needed. An earthquake early warning and rapid response system can !d\GD8|4
provide the critical information needed to minimize loss of lives and property, and to direct rescue <<6w9wNon
operations As part of the preparations for the future earthquake in Istanbul a Rapid Response and Early #+
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Warning system in the metropolitan area is in operation. For the Early Warning system ten strong cnthtv+(~
motion stations were installed as close as possible to the fault zone. Continuous on-line data from these Elp!,(+&6
stations via digital radio modem provide early warning for potentially disastrous earthquakes. 9ojhI=:
Considering the complexity of fault rupture and the short fault distances involved, a simple and robust Bc Lt95;.\
Early Warning algorithm, based on the exceedance of specified threshold time domain amplitude $at|1+bQ
levels is implemented. The encrypted early warning signals will be communicated to the respective 6\;1<Sw*
end users through a “service provider” company. The users of the early warning signal will be power ud Fju&!W
and gas companies, nuclear research facilities, critical chemical factories, subway system and several ra>`J _
high-rise buildings. Depending on the location of the earthquake (initiation of fault rupture) and the \DqxS=o;
recipient facility the alarm time can be as high as about 8s. For the rapid response system one hundred \zU5G#LQ
18 bit-resolution strong motion accelerometers were placed in quasi-free field locations (basement of v I'> $
small buildings) in the populated areas of the city, within an area of approximately 50x30km, to ?U08A{ c
constitute a network that will enable early damage assessment and rapid response information after a lc-|Q#$3$
damaging earthquake. Early response information is achieved through fast acquisition and analysis of zRu`[b3u<
processed data obtained from the network. A shake map and damage distribution map (using aggregate X t =bc
building inventories and fragility curves) will be automatically generated using the algorithm dLf8w>i`T
developed for this purpose. The shake and damage maps will be conveyed to the governor’s and md"%S-a_dT
mayor’s offices, fire, police and army headquarters within 3 minutes using radio modem and GPRS E5 oD|'=WA
communication
