A few favorite pics from @Buzzfeed ‘s 45 Most Powerful Images of 2011

A few favorite pics from @Buzzfeed ‘s 45 Most Powerful Images of 2011

Its pictures like these that bring us back to reality.

chile volcano
Chile’s Puyehue volcano erupts, causing air traffic cancellations across South America, New Zealand, Australia and forcing over 3,000 people to evacuate. (Reuters)

arizona
A monstrous dust storm (Haboob) roared through Phoenix, Arizona in July.

navy seal jon tumilson
Slain Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson’s dog “Hawkeye” lies next to his casket during funeral services in Rockford, Iowa. Tumilson was one of 30 American soldiers killed in Afghanistan on August 6 when their helicopter was shot down during a mission to help fellow troops who had come under fire.

9/11
Robert Peraza, who lost his son Robert David Peraza in 9/11, pauses at his son’s name at the North Pool of the 9/11 Memorial.

missouri tornado
A before and after shot of Joplin, Missouri after a massive tornado on May 22.

uc davis occupy protest
A University of California Davis police officer pepper-sprays students during their sit-in at an “Occupy UCD” demonstration in Davis, California. (Jasna Hodzic)

Via BuzzFeed