Taum Sauk Reservoir, MO
On December 14, 2005, the Taum Sauk Reservoir failed and released one billion gallons of water which tore a path down Proffit Mountain, exposing the bedrock.
Brownwood Subdivision, Baytown, TX
Brownwood was a neighborhood that became a victim of subsidence. Groundwater pumping in Houston has caused some places to sink almost ten feet in elevation in the past 100 years. The upscale neighborhood of Brownwood got the worst of it.
The ruins of the neighborhood were turned into a nature center.
Dubai, UAE
Dubai has quickly become a wealthy city featuring some of the most incredible architecture on planet Earth. Look closely at the before and after shots and you'll notice the world's tallest structure, and the world's largest shopping mall pop up right beside each other.
Aral Sea
The Aral Sea is one of the best examples of Human impact on the planet. Originally, the 4th largest lake in the world, eventually shrank to less than 10% of its original size due to irrigation.
Between these two images, the sea hit its driest point and was nearly gone in 2008. Efforts to begin restoring the sea helped raise the water level back up 24 meters but it is still in danger of disappearing.
9th Ward, New Orleans, LA
Hurricane Katrina is famous for proving that human made barriers can only hold back nature temporarily.
I'm thinking this Google Earth posting will be a three part series so check back in about a week for a third entry.