Technological advances in seismic instrumentation and telecommunication permit the implementation [Fk|%;B/~
of real-time rapid response and early warning systems. During large earthquakes, such systems are T;C0t9Yew
capable of providing from a few seconds to a few tens of seconds of warning before the arrival of pOq9J7BS
strong ground shaking and enable quick reports about the damage estimates to determine where 8{4SaT.-Rm
emergency response is most needed. An earthquake early warning and rapid response system can ,II-:&H
provide the critical information needed to minimize loss of lives and property, and to direct rescue *G&3NSM-
operations As part of the preparations for the future earthquake in Istanbul a Rapid Response and Early i K,^|Q8
Warning system in the metropolitan area is in operation. For the Early Warning system ten strong a1dkB"Zp.p
motion stations were installed as close as possible to the fault zone. Continuous on-line data from these j"5 $m@lgn
stations via digital radio modem provide early warning for potentially disastrous earthquakes. ;s\ck:Xg
Considering the complexity of fault rupture and the short fault distances involved, a simple and robust as ^!c!
Early Warning algorithm, based on the exceedance of specified threshold time domain amplitude IRG -H!FV
levels is implemented. The encrypted early warning signals will be communicated to the respective Wj I NY
end users through a “service provider” company. The users of the early warning signal will be power O&g$dK!Rad
and gas companies, nuclear research facilities, critical chemical factories, subway system and several ,V &RpKek
high-rise buildings. Depending on the location of the earthquake (initiation of fault rupture) and the A}W}H;8x
recipient facility the alarm time can be as high as about 8s. For the rapid response system one hundred _Gtq]`y
18 bit-resolution strong motion accelerometers were placed in quasi-free field locations (basement of HDQH7Bs
small buildings) in the populated areas of the city, within an area of approximately 50x30km, to
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constitute a network that will enable early damage assessment and rapid response information after a K<E|29t^k
damaging earthquake. Early response information is achieved through fast acquisition and analysis of *pSD[E>SU
processed data obtained from the network. A shake map and damage distribution map (using aggregate 7El :$H
building inventories and fragility curves) will be automatically generated using the algorithm mO^ )k
developed for this purpose. The shake and damage maps will be conveyed to the governor’s and M
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mayor’s offices, fire, police and army headquarters within 3 minutes using radio modem and GPRS _>u0vGF-
communication
