Rising Nuclear Risk

An explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma, Japan — which was damaged in yesterday’s earthquake — looks to have caused a reactor meltdown. Here’s a video of the explosion, from Japanese news:

From Stratfor:

Did the floor of the containment vessel crack? If not, the situation can still be salvaged by somehow re-containing the nuclear core. But if the floor has cracked, it is highly likely that the melting fuel will burn through the floor of the containment system and enter the ground. This has never happened before but has always been the nightmare scenario for a nuclear power event — in this scenario, containment goes from being merely dangerous, time consuming and expensive to nearly impossible.

With the reactor located just 186 miles from Tokyo’s population of 13 million people, the risks are obvious and ominous.

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5 Comments

  1. Sunken Costs
    Posted March 13, 2011 at 6:35 am | Permalink

    Jason,

    My family’s prayers are with you and your family/friends. I appreciate the updates you have been posting and hope you will continue to do so. I have many friends in Japan and Korea right now (my oldest son is in Korea and I have many friends scattered across the Pacific from mainland Japan all the way down to Okinawa). If there is anything you may need, please don’t hesitate to ask and I will do what I can. Stay safe and always remain optimistic.

  2. David Hawkins
    Posted March 12, 2011 at 11:11 pm | Permalink

    I don’t know what to say Jason but I send you, you family and friends my best wishes. Thank you for the updates too, I’m sure you have enough on your plate right now.

    • Posted March 12, 2011 at 11:14 pm | Permalink

      Thank you, David, and you’re most welcome for the updates.

  3. TT
    Posted March 12, 2011 at 7:36 pm | Permalink

    Jason, Please keep us posted as our hearts go out for the people of Japan. This tragedy is enough for their families, please don’t let it be more.

    • Posted March 12, 2011 at 8:39 pm | Permalink

      Will do. The phone calls are still pouring in. Nobody in my immediate circle is missing, injured, or dead. Northern relatives, however, are faring far less well. Thank you for the sympathy.

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