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Using social media data to understand and assess disasters

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  • Xiangyang Guan
  • Cynthia Chen

Abstract

This paper contributes to the understanding of disasters from the perspective of social media activities. We develop a measure based on Twitter activities that can be used to quantify the evolution of disasters and thus demonstrate temporal–spatial patterns of Twitter activities particularly near the coastline and in large urban areas during Hurricane Sandy. We also show a close relationship between hurricane damages and Twitter activities. Our findings suggest the potential of using social media activities for rapid damage assessment. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Xiangyang Guan & Cynthia Chen, 2014. "Using social media data to understand and assess disasters," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 74(2), pages 837-850, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:74:y:2014:i:2:p:837-850
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-014-1217-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Nabil Kamel, 2012. "Social Marginalisation, Federal Assistance and Repopulation Patterns in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area following Hurricane Katrina," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 49(14), pages 3211-3231, November.
    6. Cynthia Chen & Dave Neal & Mengchu Zhou, 2013. "Understanding the evolution of a disaster—a Framework for Assessing Crisis in a System Environment (FACSE)," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 65(1), pages 407-422, January.
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