RESUMO
After a damaging earthquake, the emergency operations made in the first hours can be crucial for saving lives and protecting properties. These operations need to be based on the characteristics of the earthquake that has just occurred. The location, depth, size, mechanism, and rupture direction all directly control the extent and distribution of damage. If the seismic source parameters can be quickly and accurately determined after a large earthquake, they can be used effectively, in conjunction with the information of the site and macro seismic data, to determine the resulting damage pattern. In view of this importance, Caltech and USGS initiated a pilot project, CUBE. This is a cooperative research project between Caltech, USGS, and a few transportation and utility companies to develop a sophisticated realtime seismic information system using the Southern California Seismic Network (SCSN) and TERRAscope, a broadband seismic network operated by Caltech (AU)