Final answer:
Social media provides a platform for real-time communication, coordination of aid, and crowdsourcing during disasters, exemplified by the response efforts following the earthquakes in Haiti and Japan.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social media can be extremely beneficial during a disaster, providing real-time communication, aiding in disaster relief efforts, and crowdsourcing vital information. Tracking tweets and e-mails allows relief agencies to prioritize and address urgent calls for help such as for medical aid, food, shelter, or rescue operations.
The 2010 earthquake in Haiti saw the creation of a crisis map from over 2,500 incident reports, aiding relief efforts substantively. Similarly, the technology was instrumental in the response to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in 2011. These examples demonstrate the power of social media in crowdsourcing and coordinating responses during emergencies.
Moreover, social media can transform separate individuals into a cohesive group with shared experiences, potentially leading to the formation of communities that continue to support each other after the disaster has ended.