An on-site earthquake early warning system set up at nine locations around Taiwan proved effective prior to the recent magnitude-6.3 temblor that struck the central part of the country, according to the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering June 4.
NCREE researcher Lin Pei-yang said the warning system was designed to reliably predict the occurrence of earthquakes with enough time to issue warnings and enable people to take precautions.
The center, along with the Central Weather Bureau, National Center for High-performance Computing and National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction, began cooperation on the three-year warning system project in 2009.
Locations of the warning system are Gang Ping Primary School in Chiayi City; National Chung Cheng University in Chiayi County; Yu Dong Junior High School in Hualien County; Hualien Train Station; Fang He Junior High School in Taipei City; Guang Fu Elementary School and Yilan Elementary School in Yilan City; and Nanan Junior High School and Luodong branch of security firm Taiwan Secom Co. Ltd. in Yilan County.
Going forward, Lin said, it is hoped the warning system can be installed in additional 84 schools nationwide.
According to the researcher, the warning system installed 2 meters below ground at Gang Ping Primary School functioned as envisioned.
The system issued an audible warning tone while the magnitude of the earthquake and estimated arrival time were broadcast over a special public announcement system, he said. In addition, a warning was displayed on light-emitting diode, or LED, signs in the school 15 seconds before the quake struck, he added.
“Messages concerning the quake were also texted to the teachers and principals.”
Lin said the warning system is complemented by a training program that teaches students on the first floor of a building how to reach open ground in 15 seconds. Those on the second and third floors were instructed to protect their heads with their hands or schoolbags and crouch beside chairs.
The warning system was set up underground to prevent student movement from interfering with sensitive seismic activity monitoring equipment, according to the researcher.
“Seismic activity includes the P and S waves,” Lin said. “The P arrives faster than the S, with the latter more destructive and causing the collapse of buildings.
“If we can predict the arrival of the S and initiate early warnings, we can mitigate the impact of the quake on life and property,” he said. (JSM)
Write to Grace Kuo at mlkuo@mofa.gov.tw