Last Thursday an enormous 8.9/90 magnitude earthquake struck just 69 miles off the north east coast of Japan. The quake – so powerful it shifted the earth’s axis by 10 cm – was followed by a tsunami that ripped into the coastal areas with terrifying force and speed. Waves of 33 ft hammered their way miles inland, carrying cars and buildings along as though they were small toys. Reports of four damaged nuclear power plants surfaced as Japanese authorities desperately try to prevent nuclear meltdown in at least two reactors. At the time of writing the official death toll stands at 1,700, but tens of thousands still remain missing.
10,000 missing
The small coastal port town of Minamisanriku was totally destroyed as the tsunami, caused by the earthquake, crashed into the shore.
Scenes of devastation
The 8.9 magnitude earthquake caused a tsunami to wreak havoc along the north east coast of Japan.
Power of nature
A car was swept onto the top floor of a three-storey building by the tsunami.
Nothing was safe
A Japanese military training plane was carried from the JASDF Matsushima Air Base by the tsunami, crashing into a building.
Rescue operation
A soldier helps evacuate those who are stranded as the massive rescue effort gets underway.
Search for survivors
Although Japan is the most earthquake-savvy country in the world, no one could have anticipated the sheer destructive force of this quake and the tsuna
Raging inferno
Fires roar through buildings as gas and oil supplies ignite after the earthquake.
Nuclear catastrophe
According to reports, up to four nuclear power plants have been badly damaged.
Radiation poisoning
So far over 200,000 people have been evacuated from a 13-mile radius surrounding the nuclear power plants, at least 160 people are being tested for radi
Shelter from the storm
Many residents who were evacuated fear that they may never be allowed back home because of the dangerous radiation levels.
Earth changing events
These satallite photographs from the Centre for Satellite Based Crisis Information in Germany shows the Iwanuma-Matsushima area before and after the d
