Japan Tsunami Anniversary: Interactive Photos Before And After

On the first anniversary of the 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11, 2011, the debris and destruction continue to litter the lands and minds of Japanese people.

The interactive graphics below let you visualize the power Mother Nature exerted last year, turning man-made behemoths into mangled bricolage in just minutes. You'll be able to see how the Sendai port, a soccer field in Minamisanriku and Onahama in Iwaka looked pre- and post-disaster. If you look closely at the soccer field, you can see how the familiar, painted circles and rectangles transformed into a giant "SOS." These images fit in line with the costliest natural disaster on record

You can also check out more interactive before-and-after photos here.

Industrial area near Sendai port, 2009 © 2011 GoogleIndustrial area near Sendai port, March 13 2011 © 2011 Google, GeoEye

Soccer field in Minamisanriku in 2002. © 2011 Google, DigitalGlobeSOS on soccer field in Minamisanriku. © 2011 Google, GeoEye

Onahama in Iwaki in 2005 © 2011 Google, DigitalGlobeOnahama in Iwaki after tsunami © 2011 Google, DigitalGlobe