Towards improving the resilience of urban societies against seismic threats through multi-sensor-based Early Warning information systems

Over the past few decades, scientists have striven to make progress in terms of operational earthquake forecasting (OEF) and the development of instrument-based earthquake early warning (EEW) systems, both of which aim to reduce seismic risk and thereby minimize human casualties and economic losses as well as social disruption. In contrast to OEF, which deals with providing short-term predictions and forecasting of tectonic earthquakes through utilizing possible forerunners of large earthquakes, EEW may have a greater potential to serve the public. In general, EEW addresses the rapid detection of potentially damaging earthquake ground motion and the alerting of people and infrastructure in harm’s way (Strauss and Ellen 2016). Needless to say, the greater the distance between the seismic source and the elements at risk (e.g. cities and infrastructure), the longer the time available to e.g., send alert messages to the public, evacuate hazardous facilities, shut off pipelines carrying hazardous materials, or halt high-speed trains. This type of warning systems is operational in various parts of the world, though their applicability and usefulness for most seismic source regions in Europe remains to be proven. It is envisioned that the system to be developed will have multiple application possibilities within EEW as well as Rapid Response to earthquake-induced disasters, with its overall purpose to serve the public and authorities as a tangible and easy-to-use tool. The project’s tasks will be demonstrated for various earthquake-prone areas in Europe, including areas affected by induced seismicity. These locations include areas where EEW systems are already operational or where network installations are in place that could be extended to EEW. The successful conduct of the various work tasks will require the active involvement of stakeholders in various pilot regions, i.e. Patras, Aegio (GR), Vrancea (RO), Iceland, Pyrenees (FR), Southern Italy, Groningen (NL).