Technological advances in seismic instrumentation and telecommunication permit the implementation of real-time rapid response and early warning systems. During large earthquakes, such systems are capable of providing from a few seconds to a few tens of seconds of warning before the arrival of strong ground shaking and enable quick reports about the damage estimates to determine where emergency response is most needed. An earthquake early warning and rapid response system can provide the critical information needed to minimize loss of lives and property, and to direct rescue operations.

After the Sumatra earthquake in 2004, the global community felt the need of establishing regional tsunami warning systems, and within this framework, KOERI is also setting up a Tsunami Warning Center which is expected to act also as a regional center under the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission - Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Connected Seas (ICG/NEAMTWS) initiative.