About the "nuclear meltdown" that is apparently imminent

Mar 14, 2011 21:26

If you are worried about it, please read this article.

I never thought of Japanese engineering in this light, but now that I've read this post, I agree completely. Christchurch was a 6.3 on the scale, destroyed countless buildings, and caused a high loss of life. Japan's was a full 9.0, but the vast majority of damage was caused not by the ( Read more... )

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scarreddragon March 17 2011, 07:51:29 UTC
thank you :)

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starrose17 March 14 2011, 18:46:29 UTC
Just as long as you stay safe my friend *hugs*

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scarreddragon March 17 2011, 07:51:36 UTC
*hugs back*

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hungry_worm March 14 2011, 19:05:31 UTC
It is your decision, and surely it would be wrong to wish for a mass panic. However, I wouldn't be taking chances - regarding the article you linked, I don't doubt that Japan's safety measures are good in case of natural disasters, but nuclear accidents aren't "natural disasters" (even if the earthquake causing the problems was); it didn't convince me, but the news we're getting don't look sensational at all either, just stating the danger of a nuclear meltdown ( ... )

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scarreddragon March 17 2011, 07:54:19 UTC
One thing to remember is that the Fukushima plants have not just the usual 834563478 safety measures, each reactor is also housed in special containers that are built to contain meltdown. The little radiation that people are tracking is actually released when they vent the gas inside to relieve pressure. It isn't a particularly good situation, but even in worst case scenarios it will not affect as far as Tokyo.

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hungry_worm March 17 2011, 10:50:18 UTC
I seriously doubt that truly meltdown-proof containers exist. If the heat gets strong enough, they will burn through. As far as I know the advantage of japanese nuclear plants is that they're built on rock, which itself is sturdy and won't let the meltdown through easily. The know-how going into earthquake safety in Japan is amazing, and the tsunami preparation will surely follow to be great, too. Had this happened in any other country, these plants would not stand anymore but would have broken down at the second shake, I'm sure. They said the German plants only have an emergency battery life of two hours, unlike the Japanese, that had about six to eight hours. I guess that's what you call the silver lining - Japan is still lucky (although this luck is supported by a lot of genius, hard work ( ... )

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scarreddragon March 17 2011, 11:21:08 UTC
Probably not 100% meltdown, but as long as they keep things cooled until the power is restored, which they are working on now, then it shouldn't happen at all!

And yeah, its March, it was super cold here today. Unfortunately the weather is not cooperating :( Snow right now it not unusual, but it'd be nice if spring picked up a bit -_-;

US people can be crazy, and I speak as one of them D: People get so worked up by the news, I don't think they have any idea how much of it is just completely wrong. It drives me crazy!

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tokyo_yume March 15 2011, 07:49:39 UTC
Thanks for sharing that article - it does help put my mind at ease a bit more. I think I was really freaking out because of the research I did on Chernobyl.

I, too, will be staying. I'm finally here doing something that I've wanted to do for six years. I think if I left now, I would definitely regret it.

That said, I'll be keeping a close eye on what's going down for the next few days... or however long it takes.

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scarreddragon March 17 2011, 07:54:48 UTC
Just remember it is impossible for Japan to become the next Chernobyl. Despite the fears, every single expert agrees on that!

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kitzune March 16 2011, 14:38:14 UTC
About the Christchurch comment...

when the earthquake happened, and I was under the table, holding my co-worker and trying to keep her from screaming, all I could think was: oh god, please don't let this be as bad as New Zealand. Please let me make it out okay.

And for several days later, I just assumed it had been less force.

And then I found out the force in Tokyo was pretty much equivalent to it, and I was shocked but then sooooooo grateful for the strict building regulations. When it comes to earthquakes, at least, if it -HAD- to happen, I guess I'm glad it was in a city prepared for it.

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scarreddragon March 17 2011, 07:56:14 UTC
That sounds so scary! It makes me wonder about New Zealand's building codes... did they just not expect an earthquake of that magnitude? Or are they not used to earthquakes at all?

Anyway, Japan is well prepared for earthquakes... and from now on will be well prepared for tsunamis too!

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