Technological advances in seismic instrumentation and telecommunication permit the implementation F0r5$Pl*
of real-time rapid response and early warning systems. During large earthquakes, such systems are Z vyF"4QN
capable of providing from a few seconds to a few tens of seconds of warning before the arrival of p{SIGpbR&
strong ground shaking and enable quick reports about the damage estimates to determine where y4!fu<[i
emergency response is most needed. An earthquake early warning and rapid response system can q zo)\,
provide the critical information needed to minimize loss of lives and property, and to direct rescue ?q5HAIZ`
operations As part of the preparations for the future earthquake in Istanbul a Rapid Response and Early m5KLi
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Warning system in the metropolitan area is in operation. For the Early Warning system ten strong =umF C[.W
motion stations were installed as close as possible to the fault zone. Continuous on-line data from these Tilr%D(Q
stations via digital radio modem provide early warning for potentially disastrous earthquakes. i@<w"yNd_
Considering the complexity of fault rupture and the short fault distances involved, a simple and robust nRX<$OzTV
Early Warning algorithm, based on the exceedance of specified threshold time domain amplitude 8@T0]vH&
levels is implemented. The encrypted early warning signals will be communicated to the respective b~8&P_
end users through a “service provider” company. The users of the early warning signal will be power X&K,,C
and gas companies, nuclear research facilities, critical chemical factories, subway system and several Ag1nxV1M$
high-rise buildings. Depending on the location of the earthquake (initiation of fault rupture) and the aIWpgUd`
recipient facility the alarm time can be as high as about 8s. For the rapid response system one hundred do%.KIk
18 bit-resolution strong motion accelerometers were placed in quasi-free field locations (basement of y92<(ziaX)
small buildings) in the populated areas of the city, within an area of approximately 50x30km, to )oS~ish
constitute a network that will enable early damage assessment and rapid response information after a 15DlD`QV
damaging earthquake. Early response information is achieved through fast acquisition and analysis of )S_%Ip
processed data obtained from the network. A shake map and damage distribution map (using aggregate _tO2PIL@Z
building inventories and fragility curves) will be automatically generated using the algorithm .=c@ps
developed for this purpose. The shake and damage maps will be conveyed to the governor’s and ~i}/
mayor’s offices, fire, police and army headquarters within 3 minutes using radio modem and GPRS I&x69
communication