Japan is continuing to recover from the devastating magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the resultant tsunami that struck the nation in March.  This past week Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) released new images of its Fukushima power plant as the massive waves struck the facility.

• Slideshow: Images of the Fukushima power plant being stricken by the tsunami (Examiner.com)

Damage at the power plant was extensive and in seeing the new photos one can understand why the nuclear facility was unable to withstand the blow.  Waves are seen in the photos sweeping over a sea wall and soon enveloping the interior of the plant.

Waves of more than 30 feet resulted from the earthquake, the fourth largest since 1900, and were responsible for extensive damage and a staggering death toll.  More than 91,000 structures were totally destroyed by the waves that swept away entire towns.

According to the National Police Agency, 15,129 lives were claimed.  The toll however is expected to continue to climb as another 9,034 people are reported missing.  As it stands now the quake ranks as Japan’s fifth deadliest in history but will likely hit the number four spot when the final death toll is calculated.

Related: Extensive damage from within Japan’s stricken nuclear power plant (Examiner.com)

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