Update: Check Tsunami warnings here.
So the big one finally came. Seismologists and researchers had been warning for years that a massive earthquake was overdue in the northern region of the Ring of Fire. With the memory of the Christchurch earthquake fresh in New Zealanders’ minds, another Pacific Rim country bore the brunt of mother nature’s unforgiving wrath. An undersea earthquake caused devastation in the Land of the Rising Sun, with people the world watching outlandish sights such as burning water, exploding natural gas plants and houses floating like straws.
Japan’s strict building codes saved many lives. However, many people still lost their lives in one of the biggest disasters in the Asian country’s history.Gas lines ruptured, cell networks were blocked and freshwater supply disconnected in the great upheaval that ensued. Even a nuclear power plant was seriously compromised as one of its key components exploded.
Japan’s communication with the outside world was cut as undersea cables went bust. KDDI, one the country’s biggest phone carriers saw massive breakdown of service. As Japan’s east coast was battered by wave after wave of tsunamis, the destruction was experienced thousands of miles away by social media aficianados. With conventional communication suspended, social media played an important role in keeping Japan connected.
News on Twitter and images on Twitpic spread far and wide. Prayers, condolences and words of hope were exchanged. Social media was able to connect the unfortunate earthquake affectees and their well wishers. With cell services disrupted, Internet access where available enabled instant and effective communication.
