UrEDAS: The Early Warning System for Mitigation of Disasters Caused by Earthquakes and Tsunamis

Abstract

An earthquake is a devastating natural disaster which can cause hugeamount of casualties and extensive damage within a period of a fewminutes. UrEDAS (Urgent Earthquake Detection and Alarm System) is anintelligent and unique alarm system. This system comprises of a singlestation including three component seismometers and does not need anyextra organisation for networking. Immediately after the arrival of aP-wave, it provides information on magnitude, location and the depth ofthe earthquake. The damage potential is then estimated by relating themagnitude, epicentral distance and depth within three seconds afterP-wave detection.With this approach, similarly, by relating the hypocentral depth,magnitude and the distance between offshore point and coastal line,estimation of the damage potential of Tsunami is also possible. Byquickly estimating the earthquake parameters within a few seconds, analarm can be issued in advance for areas that are vulnerable toearthquakes and tsunamis. To be able to effectively use this approach,together with the early alarm measures it is also necessary to educateand prepare people for disaster during big and destructive earthquakes.