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Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center

Location
location of Rikuzentakata.
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All site locations, Japan
Sites visited in 2010.
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Pre-tsunami Japan: 2010

Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture

Rikuzentakata is located at the northern end of another roughly north-south trending embayment that opens to the southeast (see map). Whereas the Kesennuma embayment is funnel-shaped, the distal end at Rikuzentakata broadens and incorporates a broad, sandy barrier feature. The shoreline is a popular beach front area, and because of the low-lying coast there are vertical evacuation structures (see photos, below). Aerial photograph taken on March 12, 2011 shows extensive overwash occurred accompanied by severe erosion of the coastal barrier (aerial photo courtesy of Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI)).

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Satellite imagery of Rikuzentakata in 2010; courtesy of USGS and Google. Photo taken in Rikuzentakata in 2010.
Photo taken in Rikuzentakata in 2010. Aerial photograph taken of Rikuzentakata on 17 March 2011.
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Page Last Modified: 13 May 2011 (lzt)