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An integrated earthquake early warning system and its performance at schools in Taiwan

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Abstract

An earthquake early warning (EEW) system with integration of regional and onsite approaches was installed at nine demonstration stations in several districts of Taiwan for taking advantages of both approaches. The system performance was evaluated by a 3-year experiment at schools, which experienced five major earthquakes during this period. The blind zone of warning was effectively reduced by the integrated EEW system. The predicted intensities from EEW demonstration stations showed acceptable accuracy compared to field observations. The operation experience from an earthquake event proved that students could calmly carry out correct action before the seismic wave arrived using some warning time provided by the EEW system. Through successful operation in practice, the integrated EEW system was verified as an effective tool for disaster prevention at schools.

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Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank the prominent support from the Central Weather Bureau, National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering, and collaborative schools to this research. The comments from the reviewers which have significantly improved the manuscript are greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Earthquake and Man-made Disaster Division, National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction, 9F, 200, Sec. 3, Beixin Rd., Xindian District, New Taipei City, 23143, Taiwan

    Bing-Ru Wu & Chiou-Yun Chen

  2. Seismological Center, Central Weather Bureau, 64, Gongyuan Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 10048, Taiwan

    Nai-Chi Hsiao

  3. Structural Control Division, National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering, No. 200, Sec. 3, Xinhai Rd., Da’an District, Taipei City, 10668, Taiwan

    Pei-Yang Lin, Shieh-Kung Huang & Hung-Wei Chiang

  4. Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Sec.4, Keelung Rd., Da’an District, Taipei City, 10607, Taiwan

    Ting-Yu Hsu

Authors
  1. Bing-Ru Wu
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  2. Nai-Chi Hsiao
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  3. Pei-Yang Lin
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  4. Ting-Yu Hsu
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  5. Chiou-Yun Chen
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  6. Shieh-Kung Huang
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  7. Hung-Wei Chiang
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Correspondence to Bing-Ru Wu.

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Wu, BR., Hsiao, NC., Lin, PY. et al. An integrated earthquake early warning system and its performance at schools in Taiwan. J Seismol 21, 165–180 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10950-016-9595-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10950-016-9595-3

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