In just over two weeks, Japan will be observing the one-year anniversary of the disastrous magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that struck its east coast in March of 2011. The destruction was unprecedented and the loss of life and property were staggering -- more than 15,800 are confirmed dead, with another 3,300 still listed as missing nearly a year later. Photographers documented the many faces of this tragedy and have now returned to give us a look at the difference a year can make, re-shooting places that were photographed during and immediately after the quake.

1. This combination of pictures shows the view of a tsunami hit area of Ofunato, Iwate prefecture on March 14, 2011 (right side) and the same scene as it appears on January 15, 2012 (left side). March 11, 2012 will mark the first anniversary of the massive tsunami that pummeled Japan. Click to continue

2. A private plane, cars and debris outside Sendai Airport in Natori, Miyagi prefecture on March 13, 2011, two days after a tsunami hit the region on March 11, 2011

3. and the same area on January 12, 2012

4. Damage caused by the March 11, 2011 tsunami seen from a hill overlooking the city of Kesennuma on March 16, 2011,

5. and the same area on January 14, 2012

6. A pair of photographs shows the same location in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan on two different dates, March 11, 2011,

7. and February 17, 2012

8. A pair of scenes from Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan on two different dates, March 11, 2011,

9. and February 17, 2012

10. A fishing boat lies among the tsunami rubble in Otsuchi, Iwate prefecture on March 31, 2011,

11. the same area visible on January 16, 2012

12. A boat washed on to a street by the March 11 tsunami in Ishonomaki, Miyagi prefecture on March 15, 2011,

13. and the same area on January 13, 2012

14. A view of a tsunami hit area of Ofunato, Iwate prefecture on March 14, 2011, and as the scene appears on January 15, 2012

15. and as the scene appears on January 15, 2012

16. The scene above a fishing port in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan on two different dates, March 11, 2011,

17. and February 17, 2012

18. A tsunami strikes a fishing port in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011,

19. the same scene visible on February 16, 2012

20. A ship called Asia Sympathy, run aground by the March 11 tsunami in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, on March 18, 2011,

21. and the same area on January 16, 2012

22. Tsunami waves overflow a barrier in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011,

23. the same scene visible on February 17, 2012

24. A sightseeing boat washed ashore by the tsunami onto a two-story home in Otsuchi, Iwate prefecture on April 16, 2011,

25. and the same area on January 16, 2012

26. A massive wave inundates part of Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2011,

27. and the same scene, shown on February 17, 2012

28. Residents cross a bridge covered with debris in a tsunami hit area of the city of Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture on March 15, 2011,

29. the same area visible on January 13, 2012

30. The tsunami breaches flood barriers in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2011,

31. the same view seen on February 17, 2012

32. The tsunami breaches flood barriers in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2011,

33. the same view seen on February 17, 2012

34. Flooding in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2011,

35. and seen later, on February 17, 2012

36. A tsunami-hit street in Ofunato, Iwate prefecture, on March 14, 2011,

37. and a year later, on January 15, 2012

38. Flooding crests on a bridge in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2011,

39. the same scene shown on February 17, 2012 COPYRIGHTS TO ALL PHOTOS AND MUSIC BELONG TO THE ORIGINAL AUTHORS . You Can Keep Listening To The Music Or Press ‘Esc’ To Exit Nikos