Validation of a new Meta database usage to understand population's mobility: the February 6th, 2023, Türkiye event case study

Abstract

This study explores the utility of the MDM dataset for analyzing mobility patterns during natural disasters. Unlike traditional Big Data sources, MDM provides unique advantages, such as finer spatial and temporal scales, enabling the examination of daily mobility variations. The dataset was validated against known mobility patterns, revealing sensitivity to noise and fluctuations in user activity on the Facebook platform. Significant differences were observed in mobility responses between regular and test days, highlighting the role of socio- demographic factors. The study also investigates population behavior during disasters, showing that individuals either stayed within affected zones or relocated quickly to safer areas. Although the study has limitations, such as the exclusion of motivations behind mobility and noise resilience, it lays the groundwork for using MDM in future disaster mobility research. Future studies could explore its application across diverse disaster types, urban settings, and community mobility patterns.