This video captures some amazing footage of the 2011 tsunami n Kesennuma, Japan. The arthquake and subsequent tsunami caused catastrophic damage, although many were able to survive on the high-rise rooftop (like the videographer). Much like a tsunami, the video starts out slow with only alarm bells, but at around the 2:20 minute mark the first sign of the small wave makes its way up the river, with onlookers unsure of the magnitude of the impending damage. The riverbanks are breached at 7:43. By 14 minutes, the debris and wreckage is massive, and the quantity of water flooding in is still growing. The last 6 minutes shows the waters receding, but the impact of the tsunami still spreads as fires spread through town. For a full documentary on the tsunami, click here. I surely hope that no one reading ever gets a closer look at what a tsunami looks like in person. This time lapse is an audiovisual representation of global seismic activityputs the Japanese tsunami into it proper context (wait for the dramatic event at the 1:45 mark).
Most people do not realize the sheer power of a tsunami. It has the force of the entire ocean depth behind each wave. It also pours onto land for hours until it stops then pours back into the ocean for another hour or so. Most people killed are killed by objects such as cars and buildings crushing them. Seeing videos such as these can help people get a better idea of the forces actually involved and maybe save lives.
I hope something like this never happens again. Tsunamis are unreal. They are literally horrifying and to see something like this captured on camera is actually really scary. Damn plate tectonics and people living on the water front.
So, I will never forget this morning because my brother was living in Japan at the time and I remember getting a text from him saying "we are ok." My brother is a bit of a jokester so I figured he had something up his sleeve, however, when I woke up and heard of the destruction, I was so relieved to know he and his family were safe. For the next month my brother flew rescue missions and brought water and food to the survivors. He had taken hundred of pictures, and I was able to witness first hand how devastating the tsunami had been. My heart still goes out to those people, and I am forever grateful that my brother is alive and well.