1. A Proposal for the Establishment of a UAE Earthquake Information Center (UAE-EQIC)
by Max Wyss Director, WAPMERR, Geneva and Azm S. Al-Homoud Professor of Civil Engineering Director of Earthquake Observatory American University of Sharjah
AUS Earthquake Observatory Web Site

2. OUTLINE
The need for earthquake monitoring and seismological expertise in the UAE
The Proposed Monitoring and Information Center
The proposed Seismograph Network
Overview of AUS Earthquakes Monitoring Program in Northern UAE: Strong Motion Recorders and Seismograph Network, Recorded data.

3. The need for Earthquake Monitoring and Seismological Expertise in the UAE
Expected Ground Accelerations expected
The M5 Earthquake of 11 March 2002 in Masafi Fujairah
The possibility of seismicity induced by hydrocarbon prodcution
The large earthquakes in Southern Iran
Monitoring of earthquakes worldwide

4. Masafi Earthquake March 11, 2002

5. Masafi Earthquake March 11, 2002

6. Continue … Masafi Earthquake
The U.A.E(Masafi) earthquake is a natural earthquake or an induced earthquake by hydrocarbon production?
The Centroid Moment Solution of the Harvard University showing that the earthquake is of normal fault type with N-S tension axis. That may be inconsistent with tectonic stress inferred from the plate motion. Induced earthquakes of large size originated from near the bottom of seismogenic crust are reported in Uzbekistan and California but all of these induced earthquakes are thrust type in a compressive tectonic environment.
In term of this criterion it is difficult to say the earthquake is an induced earthquake.

7. Continue … Masafi Earthquake
So far without knowing important information, such as major geological settings, total amount of oil and gas extraction( also amount of injected water) of near by oil and gas field, extent and geometry of seismic zone, we cannot completely rule out a possibility of induced earthquake from the oil and gas production.

8. UAE Seismicity
It is observed that large parts of UAE, specifically Southern UAE, lie within Zone Zero where the PGA on bedrock in 50 year time period (corresponds to 475 years return period) does not exceed 50 , i.e., 0.05g. Following Zonation of UBC97 Code, Greater Abu Dhabi area lies within Zone 1, where the PGA on bedrock is between 0.05g and 0.10g, i.e., with an average of 0.075g. Zone 2A, where the PGA on bedrock is between 0.10g and 0.20g, i.e., with an average of 0.15g, covers Greater Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman area where the highest PGA in Fujaira area approaches 0.2g. No part of UAE lie within Zone 2B or Zone 3.

9. Continuity of Operations
The Proposed Earthquake Monitoring and Information Center, UAE-EQIC
Personnel
Facilities
Operation Equipment
Continuity of Operations

10. The Proposed Seismograph Network
We propose to install and operate (7) Seven Remote Seismic Stations with both broad band seismometer and strong motion accelerometer.UAE. And (6) Six Strong Motion Station .
Each station will consist of a three-component broad band and a strong motion instrument. The data will be telemetered to a central recording site, the UAE Earthquake Information Center (UAE-EQIC), where earthquakes in the UAE and around the world will be registered and located within minutes of their occurrence.

11. The Proposed Seismograph Network … Continue
This network will be capable to locate all earthquakes of magnitude larger to and M=3 in the UAE, to M=4.5 in southern Iran, and M=6 anywhere in the world.
The result will be that the federal government of the UEA can be informed within less than an hour of any earthquake disaster in the world, independent of any other emergency center.
The UAE-EQIC will be in constant contact with, and exchange data with, other centers around the world, which report earthquakes in near real time.

12. The minimum staffing of the center is Chief Scientist, one seismologist, one technicians and one clerical employee.
UAE-EQIC conducting research to improve the understanding of seismic hazard and risk in the UAE..
Without a seismograph network and a sustained UAE-EQIC center, the UAE could not have enough information to evaluate potential episodes of triggered earthquakes and could not deal with ensuing claims in an effective manner.

13. UAE-EQIC Functions
Monitor the territory of the UAE, southern Iran and the world at the M3, M4 and M6 level, respectively.
Inform the government, news media and public about any felt earthquakes within the UAE and about earthquake disasters worldwide in a timely manner
Educate the population about earthquake hazard and risk.
Participate in the effort to assemble a highly reliable map of seismic hazard for the UAE that may serve as a reliable basis for seismic zonation of the UAE.
Participate in the effort to estimate the vulnerability of structures in the UAE.

14. The Proposed Seismograph Network
Type of Instruments
At each station location two types of instruments are proposed:
So-called weak motion seismographs are capable of recording signals from very small earthquakes. They serve for monitoring, defining active faults, detecting triggered seismicity etc. For these instruments we recommend broadband, high dynamic range digital seismographs.

15. Type of Instruments … Continue
Strong motion instruments should also be installed at every station. They serve for recording, on scale, nearby large and great earthquakes. Their records are needed to learn about the attenuation properties of the UAE territory (an important factor needed for estimating the seismic hazard reliably), and for knowing the nature of shaking a tall building or bridge may be subjected to. This latter information is essential for designing critical structures. The ground motion should be recorded continuously and transmitted to the central office. This can be achieved by dedicated telephone lines, satellite transmission or radio links.
Computers capable of running modern locating programs and of storing large amounts of digital data are necessary. In addition, high-speed data links to other earthquake information centers worldwide must be available.

16. Type of Instruments … Continue
At least 4 paper recording drums should be installed in the processing room. Based on there ink traces, the staff and visitors can see instantly when an earthquake has happened, and one can estimate quickly where approximately the event took place and how large it may have been.

17. Type of Instruments … Continue

19. Example of an Earthquake and Tsunami Observation & Warning System

20. Proposed GPS Network

21. International Center for a Rapid Relief Force
The case can be made that the UAE is located ideally for an International Center for a Rapid Relief Force that could assist victims in those nations where the earthquake hazard is highest, namely the countries from North Africa, to Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan to India, Nepal and Burma.

22. AUS Earthquake Observatory
Web Site:

23. AUS Earthquake Monitoring Stations
Masafi

24. List of AUS Earthquake Monitoring Equipment
Five Accelerometers (Each with a Set of Sensors, Recorders and GPS).
Accelerometer stations were operated in the year 2000 (AUS), followed by the second in 2001(Masafi), the third in 2002 (Fujairah) and the Fourth in 2003 (RAK).
One Broad Band Seismometers and one Accelerometer are Currently Under Installation
Recorders are connected to AUS Earthquake Observatory, Operated in collaboration with Hosting Municipality/Industry.
Recorded Data is received by AUS Observatory
on daily basis. Remote Recorders are accessible from Centralized recorders through telephone line.

25. Remote Stations
Ras Al-Khaima
Masafi
AUS

26. Maintenance of Equipment
Collaboration with Local Governments

27. Sample Recorded Data Fujairah Dec. 3, 2004 Masafi April 25, 2003
Ras Al-Khaima Feb 9, 2004

28. Summary of Recorded Data
106 Recordings so far from explosions, local and regional earthquakes.
Three component Acceleration vs. time records are available.
Data is stored, analyzed (FFT, Response Spectra, etc.), interpreted in lieu of local and regional tectonic seismic activity, and used in on-going studies.

29. Soil Dynamics (Local Site Effect, Mircozonation and Liquefaction Studies by Al-Homoud (1999 through 2004)
AUS 50-kN Soil Dynamics Testing Facility

30. Recommendations
Integration of information about structural ( physical) geology of the area
Establishment UAE-EQIC Incorporating local seismic and geodetic network and geophysical observation that is capable to accurately locate earthquakes down to magnitude M2. With this tool active faults could be mapped and the probability for returns of events like the Masafi 2002 earthquake could be estimated.
Diagnosis of existing buildings for earthquake risk.
Microzonation of important cities according to soil conditions should be carried out, such that the amplification factors of strong ground motion could be estimated.
Development of seismic design code for U.A.E
Training of Staff and Engineers on the subject.
Development and Implementation of Public Awareness Programs
Training and Support Rescue Teams

31. Upcoming Event at AUS
The Department of Civil Engineering at the American University of Sharjah, and the UAE Ministry of Public Works and Housing
In collaboration with the U. S. Geological Survey
Will conduct two days Workshop on
Earthquake Risk Mitigation: Recent Developments and Prospects of Applications in UAE and GCC Region
Tuesday April 20, 2004 and Wednesday April 21, 2004.
Lecture Hall B, Main Building, American University of Sharjah