In order to prevent explosions and fires caused by the ignition of uncontrolled gas leaks from damaged pipes following some devastating earthquakes, a complex system for earthquake prediction and protection of gas installations has been designed. The designed system ensures both the acquisition of data on local precursor parameters (evolution of radon emanations, evolution of earth's crust temperature, etc.) and local intensities of seismic events. Their transmission for processing to the national seismic dispatcher, thus contributing to a better knowledge in the earth physics field and implicitly to increase the accuracy of seismic predictions as well as 3D measurement of the local intensity of tectonic movements. In the case of seismic events with dangerous local intensity (above a pre-imposed, programmable threshold) the control signal is generated for the closure of gases by specialized aquatics (electrovalves mounted in front of the gas regulation/measurement block of the protected buildings). The system also ensures the take over and display of the information package about the state (closed / open) of the electrovalves mounted in front of the gas regulation / measurement block of the protected buildings. The 3D vibration transducer and the temperature transducer for the data acquisition system are mounted in a 40 m deep drilled well and the radon one on the surface (in the protection and visiting chimney of the well with transducers). Representative images regarding the realization/implementation of the system are presented. Compared to the known alert systems, the designed system requires little space for implementation and provides a number of advantages, such as: providing information on the evolution of precursor parameters of seismic movements in a given locality to the national seismic dispatcher, the level of knowledge in the field of Earth physics and the predictability of earthquakes; local validation of the intensity of tectonic movements in 3D and automatic closing in real time, without human intervention, of the gas connections in case of exceeding a pre-established dangerous threshold; revention of explosions and devastating fires following the damage of gas installations due to major earthquakes in a given locality (where the system is implemented), especially in public institutions, schools, boarding schools, hospitals, old people's homes, etc.
A complex system for zonal earthquake prediction, warning, and local assessment of seismic events has been designed, performed, implemented, and experimented/validated. The system was designed to ensure simultaneously: the reception of warning signals following earthquakes with the epicentre on a radius of 1000 km; acquisition of local precursor data for a possible prediction of seismic events with the epicentre in the perimeter of the targeted locality and/or improvement of the database in the field of Earth physics purchased and processed centrally at the national seismic dispatcher; acquisition of data on the intensity of local seismic movements, based on which, when a predetermined threshold considered dangerous is exceeded, a real-time action order is issued for the protection of high-risk equipment and installations in operation. The realized system is structured on the national seismic dispatcher DSN (with the role of seismic data acquisition from the territory) connected by a bidirectional communication system with a local dispatcher DL which is provided with a system for acquiring and storing local seismic data (vibration detector 3D and temperature transducer mounted in a 40 m deep drilled well, radon detector and associated parameters: temperature, pressure, and humidity of the air mounted at the mouth of the drilled well). The implemented system is able, through the specialized software implemented, to take over the warning signals received from the national seismic dispatcher, to process the locally acquired data, and after the local validation of the seismic event to issue real-time action command (when exceeding values of pre-established major risk threshold) of the protections of high-risk installations in operation in the targeted perimeter. The experimentation/validation of the system, of the interconnection networks, and of the specialized software of the implemented application was done both by continuously recording the local seismic parameters, verifying the communication between DSN and DL, and by taking two warnings regarding seismic events produced (on 30.10.2020 Mw = 7, Greece and on 22.10.2020, at 20:22 hours, ML = 4 R, Vrancea, RO). By processing the data recorded during these events, the speeds of seismic waves in the respective directions were calculated. Thus, for the event of 30.10.2020 Greece, a speed of seismic waves of 7,418 km/second was determined and for the event from 22.10.2020 Vrancea, at 20:22 hours, it was calculated that the secondary waves are moving with 12,686 km/second and the surface seismic waves with 5,063 km/second. Following the analysis/comparison of acceleration intensities with the pre-set threshold level recorded locally for potentially dangerous events, it was found that these events were felt in Râmnicu Vâlcea at a level below the pre-set danger threshold and consequently, the specialized software of the application did not generate a control signal for actuating the protection of high-risk equipment in operation.
Seismic warning and prediction systems based on precursor data packets were analysed aiming to develop a system to prevent explosions and fires caused by uncontrolled gas leaks following the deterioration of gas networks produced as a result of major seismic movements. At the current stage of knowledge, the accurate prediction in time and intensity of earthquakes is not possible. The simple information about a major earthquake, it is not a sufficient argument for shutting down gases over a large area. Closure of gases in buildings should only be done in the case of some tectonic movements that, on a local level (in that locality) exceed a certain pre-imposed threshold (considered dangerous). In this context, it is considered that an adequate seismic protection system for gas networks in a given locality must ensure: measuring /validating the intensity of local tectonic movementspreferably in 3D; generating a control signal for the closure of gases at the connections of buildings connected to the systemonly if the intensity of seismic movements in the locality exceeds an imposed level (considered dangerous); secure digital communication with autonomous UPS power supply between the place of measurement /evaluation of the intensity of local seismic movements and the execution aquatics (electrovalves mounted before the gas regulation /measurement block of the protected buildings).
<p>The Romanian National Institute of Earth Physics (NIEP) developed a radon monitoring network mainly for Vrancea seismic are characterized by deep earthquakes (a rectangle zone in longitude/ latitude 25.05<sup>0</sup>/ 46.21<sup>0</sup> - 27.95<sup>0</sup>/ 44.69<sup>0</sup>, 60 Km &#8211; 250 Km). Few stations were relocated after a year of operation following inconclusive results regarding the relationship between radon and seismic activity. To the 5 stations that are in the Vrancea area (Bisoca, Nehoiu, Plostina, Sahastru and Lopatari) we added others positioned in areas with surface seismicity (Panciu, R&#226;mnicu V&#226;lcea, Surlari and Mangalia). The last two are on the Intramoesica fault, which will be monitored in the future along with the Fagaras - C&#226;mpulung fault. Radon together with CO<sub>2</sub> - CO is monitored at R&#226;mnicu V&#226;lcea within the SPEIGN project near a 40 m deep borehole in which the acceleration in three directions, temperature and humidity are recorded. The same project funded the monitoring of radon, CO<sub>2</sub> and CO in Mangalia, which is close to the Shabla seismic zone. The last significant earthquake in the Panciu area with ML = 5.7 R occurred on 22.11.2014. The area is seismically active, which justified the installation of a radon detector next to a radio receiver in the ULF band within the AFROS project. Within the same project, radon monitoring is performed at Surlari, following the activity of the Intramoesica fault. In this location we also measure CO<sub>2</sub>, CO, air temperature and humidity. The first results show a normal radon activity in Panciu. The measurements in Surlari have higher values than those in Panciu, possibly due to the forest where the sensors are located. A special case is Mangalia where the data indicate more local pollution than the effects of tectonic activity. Radon CO<sub>2</sub> and CO values vary widely beyond normal limits. The source of these anomalies may be the local drinking water treatment plant or the nearby shipyard. We also recorded abnormal infrasound values that are monitored in the same location. Determining the source of these anomalies requires at least one more monitoring point.</p><p>The purpose of expanding radon monitoring is to analyze the possibility of implementing a seismic event forecast. This can be done in a multidisciplinary approach. For this reason, in addition to radon, determinations of CO<sub>2</sub>, CO, air ionization, magnetic field, inclinations, telluric currents, solar radiation, VLF - ULF radio waves, temperature in borehole, infrasound and acoustics are made.</p><p>This research helps organizations specializing in emergencies not only with short-term earthquake forecasts but also with information on pollution and the effects of climate change that are becoming increasingly evident lately. The methods and solutions are general and can be applied anywhere by customizing them according to the specifics of the monitored area.</p><p>The main conclusion is that only a multidisciplinary approach allows the correlation of events and ensures a reliable forecast.</p>
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