Introducing the European Rapid Raw Strong-Motion Database

We present the European Rapid Raw Strong-Motion database (RRSM), a new Europe-wide system that provides parameterized earthquake ground-motion information, as well as access to waveform data, within minutes of the occurrence of any earthquake with M >= 3: 5 occurring in the European-Mediterranean region. The RRSM is different from traditional platforms for disseminating earthquake strong-motion data in Europe, which focus on providing reviewed, processed strong-motion parameters, typically with significant delays. The RRSM provides rapid open access to raw waveform data and metadata and does not rely on manual waveform processing. The RRSM targets seismologists and strong-motion data analysts, earthquake and geotechnical engineers, international earthquake response agencies, and the educated general public. The database is accessible online (see Data and Resources). Users can query earthquake information, peak ground-motion parameters, and select and download earthquake waveforms. The RRSM database is populated using the waveform processing module scwfparam, which is integrated in SeisComP3. Processing is triggered using earthquake parameters provided by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center and uses all significant waveform data that are available in the European Integrated waveform Data Archive (EIDA). EIDA consists of broadband and strong-motion data from across Europe, and the majority of these data are available in near real time. All relevant, on-scale open EIDA data are processed for the RRSM. As the EIDA community is continually growing, the already significant number of strong-motion stations is also increasing and the importance of the RRSM database is expected to grow further in time. Real-time RRSM processing started in September 2014, whereas offline reprocessing was carried out for all M4: 5 + events that occurred since January 2005.