IPMA make available software, which allows to make quick estimates of macroseismic effects in case of an earthquake
2014-01-22 (IPMA)
In 2013 it was adapted and integrated,in the seismic monitoring system of the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute, IP, a new version of the ShakeMap software, which allows to make quick estimates of macroseismic effects in case of an earthquake.
This computer application receives and processes instrumental measurements from the national seismic network stations as well as macroseismic information that is generally possible to obtain. Noted that in addition to the national seismic network, the IPMA also processes data from several other nearby seismic stations belonging to agencies from neighbor countries.
The main products generated by ShakeMap are maps of spatial distribution of ground motion and seismic intensity after the occurrence of an earthquake. These maps provide important information for planning of emergency response and public information.
From the several products generated by ShakeMap, it can be highlighted the map of seismic intensity distribution that uses a color code to show the expected severity of the seismic shaking, allowing rapid identification of the potentially most affected regions.
The ShakeMap can also be used as a tool to generate ground motion scenarios for hypothetical strong earthquakes.
This system is in operation for earthquakes located nearby Portugal mainland and Madeira archipelago, and should be implemented , soon, for the Azores archipelago.
Also note that from today such information becomes available to the general public on the website of IPMA ( http://www.ipma.pt ) and can also be accessed directly at http://shakemap.ipma.pt.
