Reliable Delivery of
Real-time Earthquake Hazards Information to Critical User
Project
Summary
The California Integrated Seismic Network
(CISN) has collaborated to develop a next-generation earthquake notification
system. The CISN Display will graphically alert users, in near real-time, of
seismicity as well as vital earthquake-hazards information following a
significant earthquake. This program suite is expected to provide emergency
managers, and other decision makers with the information and tools necessary to
effectively deploy limited personnel and resources in support of recovery
efforts after a major earthquake. This effort helps fulfill a CISN mandate: to disseminate earthquake information in
support of public safety, emergency response, and loss mitigation. This
software architecture includes a client GUI known as the CISN Display, a server
module identified as the QuakeWatch Server, and the messaging middleware
supporting an XML messaging schema.
CISN Display with San Simeon M6.5
ShakeMap overlay.
Real-time Earthquake Display
Primary to the CISN Display's operation is
its active monitoring of near real-time seismicity, and other geo-hazards
information. Newly received messages and updates are immediately posted to the
screen. Virtually all user functionality previously available in CUBE/REDI has
been replicated in the CISN Display. However, the new client also boasts a
number of upgrades that enhance its functionality as well as its reliability
and robustness. New improvements include stateful
connectivity, fail-over capability, data persistence, platform independence, a
highly configurable graphical-interface and modular software architecture.
These design improvements combine to form the basis of a highly scalable
client, and introduce a new level of reliability and application robustness not
previously available.
Gateway to Other Earthquake Products
A
secondary, but equally important function of the CISN Display is its service as
a Web-portal to all relevant earthquake hazards information produced after a
large earthquake. Web-based products currently available for delivery are ShakeMap, HAZUS Input files, Felt Reports,
Focal Mechanisms, Waveform Images, Aftershock Forecasts, Tsunami Warnings
and more. URLs to these and other Internet products are automatically created
on the CISN Display and made available so users have quick access to crucial
decision-making information. In the case of ShakeMap, a behavior may be
selected by the user to automatically display the ShakeMap in a separate
browser window as soon as it becomes available on the Web. This distribution
system will help promote future online tools and services since they can be
rapidly distributed and made available to critical users everywhere.
GIS Mapping Capabilities
To provide critical users a means of visually
performing initial assessments of potentially damaged infrastructures, a GIS
mapping engine has been integrated into the CISN Display. Thanks to the OpenMap project the client interface is able to plot many popular
formats of GIS vector-layers. This allows users to make quick and reasonable
assessments of vital infrastructure, when viewed alongside earthquake hazards
information such as ShakeMap. In addition to geo-political boundaries as with
state and county lines, imported GIS graphics may also represent roadways,
airports, railroads, bridges and other public lifelines vulnerable to
earthquake damage. In essence this mapping feature allows each organization to
customize the application interface specific to their operation's needs.
Additionally, users can now have ShakeMap shape files automatically downloaded
and plotted directly onto the CISN Display map. This added behavior was a
direct result of beta-tester feedback, and illustrates the collaborative approach
taken in user-participation development.
Additional Benefits
One of the many residual benefits to come from
CISN Display's development is its ability to extend its utility beyond
Application Installation Requirements
Listed below are the recommended minimum items needed to operate the CISN Display application.
Interested users will be asked
to register their organization to access to the software. Users will create an
account profile and provide basic contact information. User requests will be
approved per the current CISN Access Policy. Development Partners CISN Display is a cooperative
project between OES, Caltech, CGS, UCB and the USGS. Funding for the project
comes from the OES, USGS, FEMA/OES Hazards Mitigation Grants Program, Emergency
Management Performance Grant Programs, and the National Tsunami Hazards
Mitigation Program of NOAA. Additional financial support was provided by ISTI;
developers of the CISN Display and other custom software solutions.