Exploring the feasibility of an early warning system in a moderate seismicity context: case study of Pyrenees

Pyrenees presents a moderate seismicity responsible of many destructive earthquakes over history, which maximum magnitude could probably reach 6.5. This seismicity has led to the development of seismological forecasting networks around the massif. In this context, a feasibility study of a Pyrenean earthquake early warning system (EEW) had been performed within the framework of the SISPyr project. We first focused on "technical" feasibility aspects. Then, the SISPyr seismic network had been examined in order to assess its adaptability to early warning purposes. Then different rapid magnitude determination methodologies have been tested in order to check their adaptability to the Pyrenean context and to establish empirical relationships usable in Pyrenees. To that end, a waveform catalog had been constituted. The analysis of these records has allowed us to bringing to light clear correlations between earthquakes' magnitudes and four waveforms indicators calculated from first seconds of the P wave. We also considered question of the opportunity to put in place EEW in Pyrenees. As to do that, an analysis of theoretical performances of the system had been performed. Furthermore, this simplified approach can guide definition of potential uses of Pyrenean early-warnings, since they are closely dependant to the time separating warning arrival to the one of destructive seismic-waves. Finally, we carried through a survey bound to Pyrenean potential end-users in order to evaluate their wishes in terms of earthquake early warning.

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Source IAHS-IAPSO-IASPEI Joint Assembly 2013
Author Auclair, Samuel, Goula, Xavier, Jara, Jose-Antonio, Colom, Yolanda, Lemoine, Anne, Susagna, Teresa
Maintainer CCSD
Last Updated May 10, 2026, 18:51 (UTC)
Created May 10, 2026, 18:51 (UTC)
Identifier hal-00832598
Language en
contributor Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM)
coverage Göteborg, Sweden
creator Auclair, Samuel
date 2013-07-22T00:00:00
harvest_object_id d1a8fbf2-4f17-4eac-8e88-4d1b93ec28c4
harvest_source_id 3374d638-d20b-4672-ba96-a23232d55657
harvest_source_title test moissonnage SELUNE
metadata_modified 2026-02-20T00:00:00
set_spec type:COMM