Tsunami warnings, prayers on Twitter

Tsunami warnings and messages of support have been sent around the world using Twitter, following a magnitude 8.3 earthquake off the coast of Samoa.

The microblogging website has again proved to a lighting fast way to spread information during disasters and breaking news events. "Tsunami", "Samoa" and "American Samoa" were among the biggest trending topics after earthquake struck on Wednesday morning, followed by a tsunami.

Many people were sharing links to news stories about the disaster or prayers for victims using the service, which allows users to post messages - known as tweets - of 140 characters or less.

Twitter user 'ladybirdbrown' posted: "American Samoa was devastated by a deadly tsunami and earthquake. We are trying to contact our family over there! Please everyone pray!"

Another user, 'HarrisonsMama', shared the anxious wait: "I'm a little freaked out due to the tsunami warnings. I live sorta close to the water. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. But still.."

During Mumbai terror attacks in November last year Twitter users provided the first accounts of what was unfolding. At one stage it was reported that the Indian government became so concerned about information being spread on the website that it asked for it to be temporarily blocked.

In July this year, seconds after the bombing of the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton in Jakarta news of the attack was broken by Daniel Timuba with the tweet: "Bom @ marriot and ritz Carlton kuningian Jakarta".

Here are some more tweets from people around the world in the aftermath of the Samoan disaster:

@tabtx92 a 5 ft tsunami was observed in Pago Pago earlier today, and the wave could be as high as 3 ft by the time it reaches the california coast

@mRsMeSui prayn for my families out in samoa.. love and miss u all

@anabeezie Tsunami warnings reallllllyyyy wtf

@imkrissy hope everyone is safe in Hawaii. Read there's a Tsunami watch.

@pacific_soul HELP A WORTHY CAUSE: NZ Red Cross Samoa Tsunami Relief http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/pacifictsunami

@tehoro Pretty murky! Was watching people on Bay of Penty beach surfcam earlier ...

@tehoro There's a whole lot of sloshing going on at Raoul Island still. http://bit.ly/FZITM #tsunami. The big tragedy is in Samoa. :-(

@bojesha keep @SamoaJoe his family and others affected by the Tsunami in your thoughts.

@DoctorMowinckel Guys, do all your good karma rituals for Sir Joel Seanoa's (AKA Samoa Joe) family. I hope they're all well.

@ursweetdisaster See Conversation@SamoaJoe "The wave came onshore and washed out people's homes. The same happened on the hard-hit east and west sides of American Samoa"

@joysteph RT @thekatinas Please pray for our homeland of American Samoa and surrounding islands. Earthquakes & Tsunami warnings!

@maddie_chyeah Pray for those in Samoa affected by tsunami

@matthardyzchick My thorts n prayers go out 2 the people in Samoa who were hit by the tsunami

- © Fairfax NZ News