Application of Earthquake Early Warning Systems for Disaster Prevention in Schools

Abstract eng:
Sophisticated technology like the Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS) based on the nation wide earthquake observation networks in Japan can be applied for earthquake damage mitigation in various fields. As chief of a project team, the author has contributed to develop an application of Real-Time Earthquake Information (RTEI) for disaster prevention in schools. This paper describes first the EEWS for schools, a demonstration test at an elementary school in Sendai and the extended demonstration tests for other three elementary schools and one junior high school. Then, the Transmission System of RTEI using an Intranet connecting schools is introduced, together with a demonstrative test using the School in Wide Area Network in Miyagi prefecture (Miyagi-SWAN), Japan. These demonstration tests were performed as one of the major tasks of a government project. The experience of a real earthquake, the June 14, 2008 Iwate-Miyagi Inland earthquake (M7.2), is additionally addressed. For future applications of EEWS in schools, a performed questionnaire investigation is also described. The lessons from the demonstration tests and future perspectives of expansion of the EEWS in schools are also addressed.

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