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Stunning Satellite Images Show Japan Landscape Before/After Quake

Stunning Satellite Images Show Japan Landscape Before/After Quake

The New York Times has published a gripping sequence of interactive pictures showing the devastation caused by the 9.0 quake and subsequent tsunami in Japan.

Stunning Satellite Images Show Japan Landscape Before/After Quake

(h/t Hot Air)

These screen grabs of the Times report do not nearly capture the full impact of image technology.  You will note in the screen grabs that there is a slider in the middle of the image.  The complete report allows you to move slider from side to side to reveal the true sense of the before/after affect.  To see the full report click here.

Comments (67)

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  • kedward
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:33am

    If, as some believe we are so powerful that our actions can change the climate, why can’t we stop just one earthquake? Because an earthquake is an example of a real event, while human caused climate change is an example of a wish. We just are not that powerful. Pray for Japan.

    Report Post »  
  • Insanityrules
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:13am

    Drippy is correct.

    Lam 3:38 Good and bad each happen at the command of God Most High.

    God has his reasons. I don’t question them.

    Report Post »  
    • Bearfoot
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 4:21pm

      Insanityrules,
      You said; Lam 3:38 Good and bad each happen at the command of God Most High.
      If that is what your Bible actually say, then you have a very questionable translation. If you put the scripture in your own words, then you misquoted the text.

      Lets look at some surrounding verses here in Lamentations 3: New World Translation
      Look also in a American Standard Translation.

      Lamentations 3:37 Who, now, has said that something should occur [when] Jehovah himself has not commanded?

      38 From the mouth of the Most High bad things and what is good do NOT go forth.

      39 How can a living man indulge in complaints, an able-bodied man on account of his sin?

      Report Post » Bearfoot  
  • HuskerVet
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 9:58am

    Japan needs the worlds’ aid, and we will fully and freely give it. How long before Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton compare the rebuilding of Japan to the mess in Haiti or New Orleans? How long will it be before they toss in the Race Card?

    Report Post » HuskerVet  
  • Lion420
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 9:12am

    Frightening…….looks like the hand of God came down and squashed it.

    Report Post » Lion420  
  • ibanrfknm
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 8:23am

    This is heart breaking.

    Report Post »  
  • christos
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 7:59am

    Don‘t know any sun god’s, do know +JESUS+

    Report Post » christos  
  • awall1231
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 7:29am

    I never donated money for Katrina (they had plenty of warning but stayed anyway), I didnt donate for Haiti(I knew the money would never get to the people who needed it) , I will donate to the people of Japan. Something tells me that this time it will get to the people who had little or no warning.

    Report Post » awall1231  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 7:13am

    This just goes to show everyone how small we really are. Pray that they find more survivors, and they can get back on their feet quickly. I can’t imagine what they are going through right now.

    Report Post »  
  • 60yroldfemale
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 7:08am

    It is hard for anyone to grasp the enormity of this tragedy.
    A culture that honors their elders and ancestors the way they do must be suffering such enormous grief as a whole.
    I am buying some property, and when I look at the satellite map of my little piece of FL I wonder how just the ownership of a landscape so greatly changed will ever be sorted out.
    The videos of the wave showed farmland and some kind of grow houses or greenhouses being rolled over. The fishing industry is just gone in that area. What will happen when the food in the pipeline to the big cites starts running out? Seawater does not make for good growing soil.
    Imagine trying to sort out the insurance claims and who inherits what.It is going to be huge.
    Also the not knowing where your loved ones are. When you get on a commuter train your don’t give your name and address. Just knowing who was on those lost trains is almost impossible.
    May God have mercy on the Japanese people.

    Report Post »  
    • Jabber
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 8:50pm

      I agree with your post 100%.

      Except for the part about buying land in Florida…IF your purchase is close to the coast. After seeing the devastation that can occur, and the instant loss of life, in just minutes from an angry sea, I cannot imagine wanting to own, or building anything I’d value, on property that close to the ocean. Especially in a place as fraught with hurricanes etc as Florida.:) just sayin….

      Report Post »  
  • softunderbelly
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 7:04am

    God bless them. I’m afraid that the toll of death will be in the hundreds of thousands. Have organizations started their drives to help?

    Report Post »  
  • GA_dandelion
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 7:01am

    I’ve been sitting on the Godzilla / Mothra cracks for 3 days , I figured it was too soon. thanks for breaking the ice

    Report Post » GA_dandelion  
  • SHTFM.COM Are You Prepared ?
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 6:53am

    @Psychic_Warrior

    Exactly correct, this is sad indeed. My prayers go out to them.

    Report Post » ----->> SHTFM.COM - Preparedness Forum <<-----  
  • Big Kahoona
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 6:36am

    For those not so computer savvy, when you go to the link with “before and after pictures”, place your mouse on the blue bar in the middle of the pictures (right click/hold/and slide to the right or left) to see the full view.

    It is absolute devastation beyond measure. May GOD be with these people!

    Report Post »  
  • Marylou7
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 5:43am

    @JUDG724 that was beautifully expressed, thank you.

    Report Post » Marylou7  
  • SafeguardOurLiberty
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 5:42am

    I was very lucky to visit Japan about 4 years ago. My son was living there teaching English. I love Japan,and this event has crushed my heart. This country and its people are like nothing I have ever seen. And I have been to many places. They are the kindest, most honorable people, with the utmost respect for each other. Their country is beautiful and clean through hard work and dedication.
    I know the Japanese will get through this, they will rebuild and life will go on. They will not whine, or beg for help, they will not expect people to take care of them, you will not see them yelling and screaming, looting or rioting. They have accepted this, and they know what they have to do. My prayers go out to this wonderful country and its people.

    Report Post » SafeguardOurLiberty  
  • alshere
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 4:38am

    These pictures go to show just how small we are in the world et how much we come together in a crisis. As always the this country will help, comfort, feed and treat medically these people in thier time of need as we always have in the same sceenario. We are the United States of America compassionate, cosoling, ready when needed. We always have been and always will be first in line to help those in need. Pray for the victims of this tragety because there but for the grace of God go I.

    Report Post »  
  • Flughafen
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 4:06am

    When Hurricane Katrina hit, there were many opportunities for people to contribute money to the Red Cross. Walgreens actually made it possible for people to make contributions at the cash register. I hope they will do that again. Even though Japan is a financially affluent nation, they will still need the help of other nations. Let’s hope that everyone will have the opportunity to show their support. I so respect and admire the Japanese people. God bless them at this time of dire circumstances.

    Report Post »  
    • Thighmaster
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 8:14am

      Isn’t the Red Cross the ones selling water to the rescuers after the 9/11 attack?

      Report Post » Thighmaster  
  • judg724
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 3:48am

    I am honored to have visited Japan in 1985 with a singing group. The people were among the most kind, honorable, and caring I have ever met. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. As Glenn mentioned a while back, before this tragedy, look at what has happened to Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the bomb (rebuilt, booming), versus Detroit (ghetto) after the unions. (And I am a union autoworker in a non-right to work state). Without the immense corruption of the unions in the way, Japan will be able to recover from this, if there is anyone who can. My hope is that the Japanese people will turn to God for guidance through this sad tragedy, and that only the Creator through His Son Jesus can give true comfort and peace in the storm. He didn’t cause this disaster, but good can come from any bad situation. My prayer is that Romans 8:28 applies to Japan like never before. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

    Report Post » judg724  
    • Jack007
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:52pm

      Gods will, what happened to free-will, it doesn’t fit this catastrophe?

      Report Post » Jack007  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 3:33am

    I recall seeing the pictures taken from the satellites of Indonesia after the quake/tsunami of 2004 and they look similar; the devastation must be nearly complete at the least…my God.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Templar Knight
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:35am

    It stand to reason that this would be one of the worst tragedy’s ever to hit Japan. Decimation doesn’t even describe it, more like a cataclysm.

    Report Post » Huguenot Descendant  
  • pschlentz
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:21am

    Now that’s incredible. Something tells me the loss of life is considerably higher than current numbers. Sad!

     
    • Diane TX
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:47am

      I think that you’re right. Train fulls of people just were wiped off of the Earth. The trains were there, and then they were gone. The people on the trains had parents, husbands and wives, siblings, and children. It will be awhile before we can comprehend the full extent of this tragedy. Japan is not a third World Country like Haiti.

      The Japanese are technology advanced. They are not a stupid Nation that insist that everyone must believe in their 12th Century religion like the Muslims.

      Japan, please survive for the betterment of planet Earth.

      Report Post »  
  • patriotwoman
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:16am

    Be sure to go to the link at the bottom of the story and look at the pictures. It’s simply mind boggling. So much destruction. A stark illustration of how fragile life can be.

    Report Post »  
    • Drippy Fawcett
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:37am

      More of a frightening reminder that we are at the complete and total mercy of God.

      Report Post » Drippy Fawcett  
    • jedi.kep
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 8:10am

      Drippy, don’t be blaming the tsunami on God. Mother nature, yes, but not God’s doing.

      Report Post » jedi.kep  
    • Luke21
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 9:12am

      And you knomw that how Jedi? Thats absurd – mother’s nurture, they don‘t destroy and nature is not man’s mother nor creator. Drippy is certainly closer to the truth than you are:

      Luke 21:10-26 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. (11) And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven… (22) For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. … (25) “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; (26) men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

      Report Post »  
    • jedi.kep
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 9:49am

      @Luke21,

      So you want to say that God killed all those people and not the natural disaster? You saying God caused the tsunami because it’s predicted is akin to saying Glenn caused the uprisings in the middle east because he predicted it. I would be VERY careful in laying blame for the disaster at God’s feet. John 10:10 “The thief comes to steal, kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they may have life and life more abundantly.”

      Are you calling God a thief? Who do you suppose the thief is in these verses? You better think about it.

      Report Post » jedi.kep  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:03pm

      Everything that happens happens because God allows it to happen.
      Just like when Job was tortured by the devil…. what happened behind the scenes there? The devil struck a deal with God—–ONLY THEN was the devil allowed to take Job’s children and afflict him with harsh personal trials.
      God is so much bigger than any of us could even fathom and everything goes through Him. Good and bad.
      Remember this as well… He is a Great God, but He is also a God of judgement. And we have no idea why things happen the way they do. Mother nature yields to God just like everything else.

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • grethel
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:39pm

      We are told God helps those who help themselves. The Japanese people with the sturdy houses and beautiful farms, the fishing boats and the orderly cities WERE helping themselves. Throughout the ages they found ways to feed themselves through their own labors, keep warm through winter, live longer and healthier than previous generations (Like us, and with our help). To say that God would smit them would make God seem extremely arbitrary: do what he says, he could still flatten (cleanse) you. Can you see the illogic in that?

      Report Post »  
    • wfnc2377
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:10pm

      @ grethel
      Where in the Bible does it say that God only helps those who help themselves? In fact, the concept of the Gospel is the complete opposite. God only helps those who cry out for help. In Scripture, God often brought judgment on Israel for trusting in themselves and on the other nations. In the case of Japan, they are known for their resistance to the Christian message. While I would personally be very cautious about making comments about God’s intentions for allowing natural disasters to occur, I would not rule out the possibility that it was based on God’s judgment either.

      @ jedi.kep
      You have taken John 10:10 completely out of its context. That passage has to do with Christ’s followers and has nothing to do with God’s decision to judge unbelievers. In a sense, God is responsible since he at the very least allowed it.

      Report Post »  
    • GONESURFING
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 3:23pm

      Yes, the images are striking and horrible. God is shaking the earth, and that which can not be shaken will remain.

      Report Post » GONESURFING  
    • Bearfoot
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 3:55pm

      JJ Coolay,
      Consider what the Bible reports about a man named Job. Without warning, he suddenly lost his wealth. Next, all ten of his children were killed in a windstorm. Soon thereafter, he was struck with a debilitating, loathsome disease. (Job 1:13-19; 2:7, 8) Such adversities led Job to cry out: “The hand of God has struck me down.” (Job 19:21, Today’s English Version) Evidently, like many today, Job felt that God was punishing him.

      However, the Bible reveals that before Job’s trials began, God himself had described Job as “a man blameless and upright, fearing God and turning aside from bad.” (Job 1:8) In view of this expression of divine approval, it is clear that Job’s adversities were not a punishment from God.

      The fact is, the Bible is filled with accounts of upright individuals who faced personal adversities. Although he was a loyal servant of God, Joseph endured years of unjust imprisonment. (Genesis 39:10-20; 40:15) The faithful Christian Timothy suffered from “frequent cases of sickness.” (1 Timothy 5:23) Even Jesus Christ, who never did wrong, was cruelly mistreated before suffering an agonizing death. (1 Peter 2:21-24) Hence, it is a mistake to conclude that adversity must be an expression of God’s displeasure.

      Report Post » Bearfoot  
    • Bearfoot
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 4:02pm

      There is no such thing as “mother nature” there is only the natural forces of the earth, weather and shifting continental plates, volcanoes and such. At times, these natural forces collide with mankind and animals.We are caught in an unforeseen occurrence, being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

      The term “mother nature” gives the impression of some kind of false mother god.

      Report Post » Bearfoot  
    • Luke21
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:03pm

      @ Jedi

      I didn’t say it, Jesus did. But not to skirt the issue, I agree w/ the others who have said quite eloquently that God is sovereign over all the creation. Jesus rebuked the seas – thereby demonstrating control over them.

      Did God judge Japan? He knows. This I know, He allowed it & He fore ordained it (not last month but thousands of years ago) and He has judged nations & will continue to do so till the end of the age. Who judged Sodom & Gomorrah? Who judged Tire? Who is judging the earth in Revelation if not God?
      Amos 3:6: If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city, will not the LORD have done it?

      As for God coming as a thief in the night, Jesus said in Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

      This much I agree w/ you on: Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. Not to condemn the world but that through him it might be saved (John 3). What happened in Japan is a tragedy and it is not God’s will that any should perish but all should come to repentance. But if we do not repent, He will judge. Have you been found? If so, praise God! That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11

      Report Post »  
  • Showtime
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:14am

    I think they are the ones I sent to The Blaze by forwarding an email from a high school friend. And, then I put the link up yesterday in one of the Japanese stories..

    Report Post » Showtime  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:13am

    Wow! All the maps need to be changed. I hope that the Japanese People come back strong, and I only wish the best for them.

    Report Post »  
  • staythecourse
    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:09am

    So sad. My prayers are with those who have lost so much. It really puts everything else into a different perspective. The value of life can not be calculated. It sheds a different light on the vulgarity of the union demands and accusations of abuse. How dare they compare themselves to those who know true suffering and true hardship.

    Report Post »  
    • matanzawarrior
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 9:58am

      does anyone else get a Noahs Ark feeling? God washing the world?

      Report Post »  
    • Rillobymorning
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:26am

      Very well said!

      Report Post »  
    • Now this is Art
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 1:21pm

      the muslims are responsible for this!! but seriously folks, what they ARE responsible for is hate, intolerance, and suppression of women, gays and any other minority. mohammed was the exact opposite of Jesus. Jesus spoke about love for others, mohammed spoke about killing those that dont convert. mohammed was a hate monger and a pedophile…who the follows such a person? cult members.

      Now this is Art  
    • Mainer forever
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:25pm

      @Now this is Art. I have thought this very same thing about Mohammed the “prophet” v.s Jesus the Son of GOD. Jesus spoke of “love your neighbor”. “Do unto others” ….It makes me wonder about muslims….and thier “religion of peace” where women have to gown up so that men don’t go lusting after them and rape them….becasue that would be the womans fault, so then she would HAVE to be stoned to death…Where as Christ said” the first with no sin…cast the first stone”…

      Report Post » Mainer forever  
    • Jack007
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:46pm

      Get Real :|

      Report Post » Jack007  
    • GONESURFING
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 3:32pm

      Yes, well said. Japans’ relief effort will not be hampered by unions, and there will be no looting or rioting. That is not the Japanese way. Christians are a minority in Japan, but the Japanese people do not steal and have respect for other peoples property.

      Report Post » GONESURFING  
    • Kelly Ann
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 3:55pm

      That was probably the most sane post I’ve heard lately.

      Report Post »  
    • Hope1620
      Posted on March 14, 2011 at 5:39pm

      @ MATANZAWARRIOR – God ‘washed’ the planet once, but promised never to do it again… at least with a flood. But as BEARFOOT has indicated, the rain still falls on both the just and the unjust. Our job, as believers is to provide umbrellas when we can.
      http://revelationrainbow.com/

      Report Post »  
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