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2011

Twitter, Facebook Serve As Vital Lifelines During Japan Earthquake

March 12, 2011 0

Japan — Just as Egypt has been pronounced as the Twitter revolution, so does Friday’s devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan, was destined to become the Twitter disaster. Once again, social media networking sites Twitter and Facebook are proving to be lifelines in times of crisis — giving news advisories, prayers for victims and shocked reactions.

In 140-character scribblings, the story unfolded: the shock and terror; the sense of human frailty mixed with lifesaving information; the messages of those seeking comfort and those seeing some kind of divine retribution, all mixing at hyper-speed.

“Poor japan,” said one typical sentiment. “Prayers to Japan and anyone in the path of the tsunami,” said another.

“I go to sleep a happy girl and I wake up to a horrible earthquake in Japan and tsunami warnings,” said one posting.

 

However, with the countless updates posted on Facebook and Twitter one message was clear: Japan, you are not alone.

More photos coming in from Japan show the devastation after Friday’s massive 8.9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami. (Photos here).

Celebrities Send Love and Prayers to Japan Over Twitter:

Check out what celebrities tweeted about the tragedy:

Derek Hough @OfficialDHough: The speed and mass of water and debris destroying anything in it’s path is unbelievable to see … It’s hard to comprehend ..

Kim Kardashian @KimKardashian: Seeing all of this footage in Japan is devastating! Please help the people of Japan by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation

Lauren Conrad @LaurenConrad: Wow. I’m reading about the earthquake in Japan. So sad!! #prayforjapan

Conan O’Brien @ConanOBrien: Japan needs our help. Go here to donate to @redcross disaster relief: http://bit.ly/eZJDoJ

Ellen DeGeneres @TheEllenShow: I’m watching all this news of the tsunami in Japan. It breaks my heart. My thoughts go out to everyone affected.

Chris Colfer @chriscolfer: My thoughts and prayers are with the people in Japan! Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to Japan’s emergency relief!

Justin Bieber @justinbieber: Japan is one of my favorite places on earth…it’s an incredible culture with amazing people. My prayers go out to them. We all need to hell

Giuliana Rancic @GiulianaRancic: Help victims by texting the words REDCROSS to 90999. $10 will be donated to the relief efforts. Please RT!

Dianna Agron @alittlelamb: Waking up to this sad news. My heart goes out to Japan. This is devastating.

Ryan Seacrest @RyanSeacrest: Hearing @RedCross has sent 11 response teams to Japan — to help u can donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

Erin Andrews @ErinAndrews: Praying for those in Japan, our west coast, and everyone else dealing w/ the quake & tsunami..

John Stamos @JohnStamos: praying for japan. http://tinyurl.com/4gstpx6

Barack Obama @BarackObama: I have instructed FEMA to be ready to assist Hawaii and the rest of the U.S. states & territories that could be affected. http://m.fema.gov

Sending condolences to the people of Japan, particularly those who lost loved ones in the earthquake & tsunamis. U.S. stands ready to help.

Finally, there was reference to the movie “2012” about reckless destruction. “dear 2011,” one posting said, “stop trying to be 2012 please.”

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