Ruins from Japan's deadly earthquake seen from space
Satellite images show coastal communities in western Japan wiped out by tsunami waves caused by the earthquake. More than 100 aftershocks were recorded after the initial earthquake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Damage from magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Japan seen from space
Satellite images from Maxar Technologies and aerial photos from Jiji Press show the destruction caused by a deadly magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Japan on New Year's Day 2024.
Satellite and aerial images show the extent of the mass devastation across western Japan after a powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake caused widespread ramifications, including claiming the lives of dozens of people and leveling whole communities.
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Tsunami waves hit Japan's western seaboard, washing away homes, cars and infrastructure near Ukai and Suzu City.
Multiple Maxar satellite images from Ukai show coastal communities wiped out by the earthquake-related events. More than 100 aftershocks were recorded after the initial earthquake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
After the earthquake in coastal Ukai, Japan. (Image: Maxar Technologies)
(Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies)
Also in Ishikawa Prefecture, boats and the port in Suzu were damaged during the earthquake. The Maxar image below shows capsized boats floating near a dock area.
Capsized boats and damages buildings in Suzu City, Japan after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake on Jan. 1, 2024. (Image: Maxar Technologies)
(Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies)
The earthquake struck near Anamizu on New Year's Day at 4:10 p.m. JST, prompting the first Major Tsunami Warnings in Japan since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people.
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After the earthquake, fires started and caused widespread damage to neighborhoods in Wajima in Ishikawa.
Before the earthquake in Wajima, Japan. (Image: Maxar technologies)
(Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies)
The satellite images from Maxar above show the same neighborhood before the quake, and the image below is from after the earthquake, with smoke still rising.
A fire damaged neighborhood in Wajima, Japan after the earthquake. (Image: Maxar Technologies)
(Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies)
The earthquake caused ground liquefaction in western Japan, as seen in the image below from Maxar. Soil or ground liquefaction is a process that happens when sediments near the surface lose their strength due to shaking, according to the USGS. Buildings and other structures can collapse and slide when this happens.
Soil liquefaction caused by the magnitude 7.5 earthquake in western Japan. (Image: Maxar Technologies)
Aerial photos from Jiji Press show a closer and equally devastating view of the damage in Suzu, Wajima and Noto.
A day after the earthquake caused fires in Wajima, the smoke still rose from the rubble.
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Image 1 of 8This aerial photo provided by Jiji Press shows capsized boats and others left onshore at the fishing port in the city of Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture on January 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. Japanese rescuers battled against the clock and powerful aftershocks on January 2 to find survivors of a major earthquake that struck on New Year's Day, killing at least 48 people and causing widespread destruction. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT (Photo by STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images) (JIJI PRESS/AFP)
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Image 2 of 8TOPSHOT - This aerial photo provided by Jiji Press shows a rescue vehicle (C) parked next to a seven-storey building which fell over in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture on January 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. Japanese rescuers battled against the clock and powerful aftershocks on January 2 to find survivors of a major earthquake that struck on New Year's Day, killing at least 30 people and causing widespread destruction. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT (Photo by STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images) (JIJI PRESS / AFP)
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Image 3 of 8This aerial photo provided by Jiji Press shows smoke rising from an area following a large fire in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture on January 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. Japanese rescuers battled against the clock and powerful aftershocks on January 2 to find survivors of a major earthquake that struck on New Year's Day, killing at least 30 people and causing widespread destruction. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT (Photo by STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images) (JIJI PRESS / AFP)
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Image 4 of 8TOPSHOT - This aerial photo provided by Jiji Press shows smoke rising from an area following a large fire in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture on January 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. Japanese rescuers battled against the clock and powerful aftershocks on January 2 to find survivors of a major earthquake that struck on New Year's Day, killing at least 30 people and causing widespread destruction. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT (Photo by STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images) (JIJI PRESS / AFP)
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Image 5 of 8TOPSHOT - This aerial photo provided by Jiji Press shows smoke rising from a house fire (top R) along with other damage along the coast in the town of Noto, Ishikawa prefecture on January 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. Japanese rescuers battled against the clock and powerful aftershocks on January 2 to find survivors of a major earthquake that struck on New Year's Day, killing at least 30 people and causing widespread destruction. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT (Photo by STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images) (JIJI PRESS / AFP)
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Image 6 of 8TOPSHOT - This aerial photo provided by Jiji Press shows damage in the city of Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture on January 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. Japanese rescuers battled against the clock and powerful aftershocks on January 2 to find survivors of a major earthquake that struck on New Year's Day, killing at least 30 people and causing widespread destruction. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT (Photo by STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images) (JIJI PRESS / AFP)
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Image 7 of 8This aerial photo provided by Jiji Press shows a temple (C) which appears to have collapsed in the city of Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture on January 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. Japanese rescuers battled against the clock and powerful aftershocks on January 2 to find survivors of a major earthquake that struck on New Year's Day, killing at least 30 people and causing widespread destruction. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT (Photo by STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images) (JIJI PRESS / AFP)
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Image 8 of 8TOPSHOT - This aerial photo shows smoke rising from an area following a large fire in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture on January 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. Japanese rescuers battled against the clock and powerful aftershocks on January 2 to find survivors of a major earthquake that struck on New Year's Day, killing at least six people and leaving a trail of destruction. (Photo by Fred MERY / AFP) (Photo by FRED MERY/AFP via Getty Images) (Fred MERY / AFP)
Search and rescue efforts are underway in Japan, with resources being flown in nationwide.
Five Japanese Coast Guard crew were killed on Tuesday when a Japan Airlines passenger jet collided with the Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, causing both planes to catch fire. According to local media reports, the airplane was preparing to head to Niigata airport to bring aid and supplies to the region following the massive magnitude 7.5 earthquake.