The operator of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant reported an abnormality Friday following a powerful earthquake which hit a wide area in northeastern Japan including Fukushima Prefecture, the industry ministry said.
The system to cool reactor cores in case of emergency stopped at the No. 1 and No. 2 reactors of the plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co., it said.
Anyone mind explaining what this means? Is it as horrific as it sounds?
Because things aren’t already freaking scary, Business Insider threw this into the mix: “There are reports that the Japanese PM will declare a nuclear emergency.”
An update on Japan’s nuclear situation from our Tumblr in crime ProducerMatthew. Full message: “Update: The nuclear power plant in Fukushima is experiencing an issue with its cooling system due to damaged equipment. Residents are being warned that a radioactive leak could take place, but there is no current leak at this time.” Good work following up, sir.
Via BBC: Japanese authorities to release radioactive vapour to ease pressure at Fukushima #nuclear reactor, from AP #Japan
This site shows the current levels of radioactive activity happening at Japan’s nuclear power plants. The four nuclear plants up top are “under survey,” including Fukushima, where the gas is currently getting released. Worth checking out. (thanks econblues2011)
Just because the issue is sort of a big thing right now, here are a few links to confirm everything: One, the original report, which cites Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency. Al Jazeera’s liveblog also has this: “More reports from the Fukushima nuclear plant - radiation levels at a central control unit in the “No.1 reactor” have reached 1,000 times normal, a trade ministry official told Reuters. But that’s not a level that would require workers to evacuate the plant, the official said.” So, to put it simply, it’s bad but not bad enough for workers to leave the plant. However, civilians have been evacuated from the 10km immediate area. (credit to kateoplis, though with some stuff to push the story forward)
Japan nuclear authorities say high possibility of meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi No. 1 reactor - Jiji — @REUTERSFLASH
Crap.
» Two sides, two arguments: Green groups AND nuclear advocates have their talking points here – groups in favor of nuclear energy say the precaution prevented a much worse situation with the Fukushima reactors. Green groups say any leak of radioactive gas proves the dangers are too high. Of course, if this happens, it kinda throws everything out the window.
Just in: Audio report from NHK World delivering news that the fuel rods at Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant have been exposed, which could lead to a massive nuclear meltdown.
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TOKYO (AP) — Japan nuclear safety commission official says meltdown at nuclear power plant possible.
Also:
NHK on air right now is showing the plant live.
NHK is saying that cesium is being detected – which makes them believe that the rods are melting.
The government is asking everyone around the plant to continue to “calmly” evacuate.
Smoke rises from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan Saturday after an explosion at one of its buildings, blowing the roof off one building, brought down walls and caused a radiation leak of unspecified proportions. The evacuation zone around Fukushima has been doubled to 12 miles in radius. A government spokesman initially denied that an explosion had occurred — despite video evidence. (Photo: NHK TV via APTN / The New York Times)
I think we should all be concerned at this point how the Japanese government is handling the situation at Fukushima. It’s understandable that there may be some confusion just one day after a massive earthquake, but for Christ’s sake, you can’t have a government spokesman denying that an explosion happened when it fucking happened. And that’s after they told us everything was okay at the four nuke plants closest to the epicenter, when things clearly weren’t.
The International Atomic Energy Agency needs to take point on any and all news regarding Fukushima and the country’s other nuclear reactors. The Japanese government just can’t be trusted anymore.
Well, this isn’t what we expected to wake up to. Good morning Japan.
Japanese television report: White smoke billowing from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.
And here’s video. Thanks as always, ProducerMatthew.
We’ve decided to fill the reactor container with sea water. Trade minister Kaieda has instructed us to do so. By doing this, we will use boric acid to prevent criticality.Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano • Explaining what will happen next in the wake of the Fukushima blast in Japan. For what its worth, Edano says that, although there was an explosion, it didn’t affect the core reactor. “The nuclear reactor is surrounded by a steel reactor container, which is then surrounded by a concrete building,” he said. “The concrete building collapsed. We found out that the reactor container inside didn’t explode.” Sea water, eh? Interesting coolant choice. source (via • follow)
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