On models of ‘having friends’ and SN friends distribution: Information propagation on social networks and disaster modeling

Models of friend density in social networks, as a function of population density and geographic distance are discussed, with generalizations over the current models. Next, models of information propagation on social networks previously introduced are extended and refined. Currently, there is no model to explain the traffic features produced as a result of dramatic events. This paper fills this gap. The significance of the research is twofold: it lays down foundations for explaining observed SN traffic features in disaster situations and allows the prediction of the extent and gravity of disaster effects, based on the monitoring of the social network traffic.