9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
[J04-1-02] Challenges for implementing Earthquake Early Warning: A Case Study in Nicaragua
Earthquake early warning (EEW) systems aim at providing fast and accurate estimates of event parameters or local ground shaking over wide ranges of source dimensions and epicentral distances. Numerous approaches, in a variety of tectonic settings, are already operational and warnings publicly available in some regions.
The Swiss Seismological Service (SED) has integrated EEW solutions into the SeisComP3 (SC3) professional earthquake monitoring software. VS(SC3) provides fast magnitude estimates for network-based point-source origins using conventional triggering and phases association techniques, while FinDer(SC3) matches the evolving patterns of ground motion to track on-going rupture extent, and hence can provide accurate ground motion predictions for finite fault ruptures. SC3 is widely used, including in Central America, and at INETER in Nicaragua.
SED and INETER started a joint project to assess the feasibility of EEW in Nicaragua and Central America and to set up a prototype EEW system. We test VS(SC3) and FinDer(SC3) softwares at INETER since 2016.
We report on the successes and challenges of operating an EEW system where seismicity is high, but infrastructure is fragile and the design and operation of a seismic network is challenging (in Nicaragua, on average 50% of all stations do not work effectively for EEW). Broad seismic data exchanges in Central America provides real time data at INETER from stations operated by neighboured countries. We compare the observed performance of EEW in Nicaragua with an ideal setting, featuring optimized network geometry and latency. Without a reliable network, it is impossible to guarantee EEW with a minimum number of missed and false alarms. Implementation of EEW under these conditions can lead to loss of confidence in the system by end-users. We make proposals to improve the Nicaraguan and the Joint Central American Seismic Networks for EEW.
The project is funded by the Swiss Development Agency and supported by Nicaragua.
The Swiss Seismological Service (SED) has integrated EEW solutions into the SeisComP3 (SC3) professional earthquake monitoring software. VS(SC3) provides fast magnitude estimates for network-based point-source origins using conventional triggering and phases association techniques, while FinDer(SC3) matches the evolving patterns of ground motion to track on-going rupture extent, and hence can provide accurate ground motion predictions for finite fault ruptures. SC3 is widely used, including in Central America, and at INETER in Nicaragua.
SED and INETER started a joint project to assess the feasibility of EEW in Nicaragua and Central America and to set up a prototype EEW system. We test VS(SC3) and FinDer(SC3) softwares at INETER since 2016.
We report on the successes and challenges of operating an EEW system where seismicity is high, but infrastructure is fragile and the design and operation of a seismic network is challenging (in Nicaragua, on average 50% of all stations do not work effectively for EEW). Broad seismic data exchanges in Central America provides real time data at INETER from stations operated by neighboured countries. We compare the observed performance of EEW in Nicaragua with an ideal setting, featuring optimized network geometry and latency. Without a reliable network, it is impossible to guarantee EEW with a minimum number of missed and false alarms. Implementation of EEW under these conditions can lead to loss of confidence in the system by end-users. We make proposals to improve the Nicaraguan and the Joint Central American Seismic Networks for EEW.
The project is funded by the Swiss Development Agency and supported by Nicaragua.