Satellite views of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, 15 November 2009 (left) and 14 March 2011 (right). The 2011 image shows smoke, damaged reactor buildings, and radioactive steam venting from Unit 3. DigitalGlobe / nytimes.com

By ALAN McLEAN, MATTHEW ERICSON and ARCHIE TSE

[Visit the site and move the slider to compare satellite images from before and after the disaster.] Satellite views of Sendai, 4 April 2010 (left) and 12 March 2011 (right). Sendai's city center, about 7 miles inland, remained largely intact after the quake, but there was massive damage along the coast. Digital Globe / nytimes.com Satellite Photos of Japan, Before and After the Quake and Tsunami Satellite views of Natori, Miyagi prefecture before the 11 March 2011 tsunami (left) and after (right). GeoEye / guardian.co.uk Japan tsunami – before and after pictures