This paper systematically reviews 250 studies (2010–2023) on the use of social media data (SMD) in disaster management, highlighting its applications in relevance filtering, actionable information extraction, and decision-making enhancement. It develops a comprehensive literature database and identifies key trends, advantages, and challenges, proposing best practices for leveraging SMD to improve disaster response, communication, and management strategies.

The paper delivers a timely and critical assessment of the Sendai Framework’s science–policy interface at a pivotal moment. This draws directly on insights from the 2025 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. The paper makes a high-impact contribution with direct relevance for global disaster risk reduction policy and practice, extending beyond 2030.

This study presents the first end-to-end Earthquake Early Warning system designed specifically for Italy’s high-speed railway. It details the full implementation process, demonstrating the technical and operational complexities of integrating real-time seismic alerts with rigid railway control interfaces capable of triggering automatic emergency braking. The successful pilot application has led the Italian railway company (Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, RFI) to prepare for expansion of this system to additional high-speed rail segments across the national network.