Google releases first satellite images of Japan after quake (includes before images)

LA Times ^ | March 12, 2011 | Molly Hennessy-Fiske

[NYer]

First before-after image (Google and GeoEye / March 12, 2011)

Google on Saturday released its first satellite images of Japan since the devastation that followed a massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit the island nation Friday afternoon local time.

The images, from Google partner GeoEye, were generated by the IKONOS satellite. Google Earth users may view images from Kamaishi, located to the north of Sendai, an area extremely hard hit by the quake and tsunami. In the images, taken Saturday morning, Kamaishi is somewhat obscured by cloud clover.


In addition, Google released satellite images of Tokyo, also taken Saturday morning. Keep in mind that the images must be viewed using Google Earth, which can be downloaded onto your computer.

With Google Earth installed these links will let you view:

-- Kamaishi (north of the northern Japanese city of Sendai, which was devastated by the quake) , and Tokyo.

-- This is the before-and-after view of Kamaishi in Google Earth.

-- Google also released a map highlighting roads they consider passable post-earthquake, meaning a car subscribing to their navigation service was able to use the road during the past 24 hours. The map is updated daily and can be translated from Japanese to English with Google Translate.

The map, which is in Japanese, is updated daily, Google officials said. They suggest English speakers use Google translate if they are interested reading the road map.

[NYer]

From Picasa

Arahama in Sendai in 2008. © 2011 Google, DigitalGlobe 2008年 宮城県仙台市若林区荒浜 © 2011 Google, DigitalGlobe

Arahama in Sendai after tsunami. © 2011 Google, GeoEye 被災後 宮城県仙台市若林区荒浜（現地2011/3/12 撮影） © 2011 Google, GeoEye

Yagawahama in Miyagi in 2007. © 2011 Google, DigitalGlobe 2007年 宮城県石巻市谷川浜 © 2011 Google, DigitalGlobe

Yagawahama in Miyagi after tsunami. © 2011 Google, GeoEye 被災後 宮城県石巻市谷川浜（現地2011/3/12 撮影） © 2011 Google, GeoEye

[tom paine 2]

bump

[justa-hairyape]

Unbelievable ! Wow.

[sonofagun]

Here is the best treatment of these photos.

[Netizen]

This will take you right to the slide show for other comparisons.

https://picasaweb.google.com/118079222830783600944/Japan?feat=directlink#5583300886323486834

[NYer]

FYI ping!

[justa-hairyape]

That before and after shot of the Fukushima nuclear plant is very interesting. There are entire small buildings and tanks located right on the coast line that are no longer there.

[NYer]

Thank you for posting that link. Truly amazing images.

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks.

[DCBryan1]

Trained in IMINT and BDA (battle damage assessment) by the military, no way in hell that the death toll doesn't stay below 100,000. No way. 5-10 mins warning to get to high ground. Almost impossible, even if car was running when quake hit.

Unfortunately, it is common in Japan (longest life expectancy) to have the elderly move into their child's home. Due to lack of space, and expensiveness, the elderly are left at home to babysit, clean house, do chores, rest, etc....and the working adults take the only cars to work. I fear that a large percentage of elderly will be in the death toll.

[meyer]

Great link, Sonofagun!

[MsLady]

Looks like the Tsunami did more damage then the quake itself. What a mess and God bless those people.

[sonofagun]

All.

Credit goes to Scutter for posting the original ABC link.

[PushinTin]

Bump!!!

[spokeshave]

There are entire small buildings and tanks located right on the coast line that are no longer there.

Yeah..all the back up power and back up of the back up...

second guessing here...I wonder if they would have survived if all the back-ups had been located at the rear of the facility...instead of along the sea front.

[Moonman62]

In the last image it looks like the water crested over those small mountains. That would be incredible.

[bigheadfred]

Great link. Thanks.

[rlmorel]

Agreed. The death toll is going to be huge, especially for an industrialized country.

What a disaster. I was watching some footage, and as the water came in, you could see a car peel out and head up a road. If you look carefully, there was a small, solitary figure of a human, barely discernible.

Running up the same road after the car. Not a chance for that guy. That just looked lonely, sad and desperate.

I pray for them. This is a trial.

This whole thing has made me realize what a puny presence we are against nature. It can effortlessly wipe away our best efforts.

[luvie]

Amazing shots of absolutely horrific destruction! Thanks for this post.

Prayers continuing for the people of Japan!

[austingirl]

Prayer bump.