Technological advances in seismic instrumentation and telecommunication permit the implementation Z.u 1Dz
of real-time rapid response and early warning systems. During large earthquakes, such systems are ) Z:D }r8[
capable of providing from a few seconds to a few tens of seconds of warning before the arrival of `:;q4zi j;
strong ground shaking and enable quick reports about the damage estimates to determine where E_a BDiyDf
emergency response is most needed. An earthquake early warning and rapid response system can Y*PfU +y~
provide the critical information needed to minimize loss of lives and property, and to direct rescue ~mARgv
operations As part of the preparations for the future earthquake in Istanbul a Rapid Response and Early AB`.K{h
Warning system in the metropolitan area is in operation. For the Early Warning system ten strong ~r!(V;k{
motion stations were installed as close as possible to the fault zone. Continuous on-line data from these CUYA:R< )
stations via digital radio modem provide early warning for potentially disastrous earthquakes. 3V?x&qlP>
Considering the complexity of fault rupture and the short fault distances involved, a simple and robust J-Tiwl
Early Warning algorithm, based on the exceedance of specified threshold time domain amplitude Z i.' V
levels is implemented. The encrypted early warning signals will be communicated to the respective $\Y&2&1s
end users through a “service provider” company. The users of the early warning signal will be power pITF%J@_]
and gas companies, nuclear research facilities, critical chemical factories, subway system and several qSB&Q 0T
high-rise buildings. Depending on the location of the earthquake (initiation of fault rupture) and the WA"~6U*
recipient facility the alarm time can be as high as about 8s. For the rapid response system one hundred (nt `8 0
18 bit-resolution strong motion accelerometers were placed in quasi-free field locations (basement of a!E22k?((z
small buildings) in the populated areas of the city, within an area of approximately 50x30km, to *$W&jfW
constitute a network that will enable early damage assessment and rapid response information after a Jp_#pV*}:
damaging earthquake. Early response information is achieved through fast acquisition and analysis of {\(MMTQ
processed data obtained from the network. A shake map and damage distribution map (using aggregate @$T$hM l
building inventories and fragility curves) will be automatically generated using the algorithm $q)YC.5$
developed for this purpose. The shake and damage maps will be conveyed to the governor’s and } P ,"
mayor’s offices, fire, police and army headquarters within 3 minutes using radio modem and GPRS z&tC5]#
communication
