Resources for finding coverage of Japan earthquake, tsunami

Some of the more common questions and answers concerning the Japan earthquake and tsunami aftermath include: where to send donations, what live blogs cover breaking news and eyewitness reports, how to locate a missing person and how to best use social media platforms like Twitter.

Following the biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 1,200 years and triggering a devastating tsunami, the images, videos and news reports is daunting in both scope and devastation. This curated selection of resources offers solutions to common concerns.

Live blogs covering the Japan quake and tsunami aftermath

Some of the best mainstream live blogs covering developments include the BBC News Asia-Pacific, CNN Live Blog and Reuters Live Coverage. See the social media section that follows for local eyewitness accounts.

Relief efforts and donations

More than 45 countries, including some 68 search and rescue teams, have offered to help Japan, according to the United Nations.

Non-profits worldwide offer a variety of ways for the average citizen to help. The International Committee of the Red Cross (icrc.org) has enabled $10 donations via text message (Text "redcross" to 90999). GlobalGiving.org has launched Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund, an emergency relief aid campaign. For more options see CharityNavigator.org as well as the Better Business Bureau for advice on how to avoid scams.

Locate or report on a missing person

The Google People Finder application is available as part of the company's Crisis Response initiative -- currently shown as hosting 7200 reports. The service proved valuable following February's earthquake that devastated Christchurch, New Zealand and other natural disasters.

Other locator resources include one provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as well as the NTT Docomo Safety Response and the KDDI Disaster Message Board -- both enabling missing person searches and reports based on mobile phone numbers.

Social media: Twitter, Facebook, Mixi and YouTube

Social media is essential for victims and loved ones who rely on mobile phones during disasters and power outages.

Twitter offers both breaking news, first-hand accounts from victims as well as sentiments by well-wishers.

Search twitter with hashtags -- which organize tweets -- such as #tsunami, #japan, #sendai and #jpquake and #prayforjapan.

To locate these conversations, use Twitter's advanced search features (filtering by topic or hashtag) or a twitter feed aggregation tool, such as reader.twazzup.com.

Additionally, the UN Dispatch includes a number of recommended must-follows.

Mixi.jp is the Japanese social network of choice while Facebook continues to add pages such as Japan Earthquake.

Videos: On YouTube, a number of videos are available by via search for "Japan tsunami" or "Japan earthquake," CitizenTube offers substantial eyewitness reports. The Los Angeles Times maintains a featured selection of these accounts.