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A Denser Array of Real Time Instruments Could Offer a Crucial Advantage in both Response and Subsequent Mitigation

Are there enough strong-motion sensors in heavily-populated cities to reflect the situation street by street? Given the extreme spatial variability of shaking strength over kilometer scales, generally not [Boore et al. (1997) and Field et al. (1997)]. The spatial density of instruments in existing networks may not be sufficient for the optimal allocation of vital, limited resources in a major emergency.

This point has already been made by several experts in the field. Consequently, the USGS´s earthquake hazards team at Menlo Park, Califonia, has initiated studies towards a dense and really fast strong motion network. In the TREMOR/SOS project, the seismometers ideally should be spaced 1 x 1 km all over the SFBA, thus forming a consistent array of 3600 real time sensors. [Evans (1998a,b)].