Japan hit by an 8.8 earthquake

They are saying they might not be able to avoid a meltdown now, and there are a total of five reactors in jeopardy at three different plants.

There has been a very large explosion at one of the nuclear power plants. Just seen the video footage of it on CNN. (albeit the video was shot from far, far away)

Looks like things are going downhill. I'm hoping they can avoid a nuclear catastrophe.....but it's not looking good at this point.

Yesterday's footage of the tsunami was beyond words.

Explosion

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In spite of the potential explosive impact of the above video on the reader, and even on the reactor itself - apparently the walls of the power plant were knocked down - DonDiego urges calm.

The containment vessel has not been breached, or even damaged. A significant release of radiation is extremely unlikely.

Modern reactor design and the design of this particular Japanese reactor pretty much preclude a Chernobyl-type disaster and, most particularly, a China-Syndrome meltdown. At worst there could be radiation release similar to that at 3-Mile island, PA - which required substantial assistance from human-error itself. And where no one died. And even that is unlikely.

DonDiego suggests one need not panic.

Ref: Atomic Insights

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If the reader would permit, DonDiego would like to alter his previous comments, as follows:

"Modern reactor design and the design of this particular Japanese reactor pretty much preclude a Chernobyl-type disaster and, most particularly, a China-Syndrome meltdown. At worst there could be radiation release similar to that at 3-Mile island, PA - which required substantial assistance from human-error itself. And where no one died. This appears likely.

DonDiego suggests now is the time to panic."

I wonder why they didn’t built those plants further inland? The water killed the backup diesel generators from what I read.

If its using straight water as a colant, they need access for lots of it. Either by a very long pipeline or very near a large water source.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there has been a 2nd HUGE hydrogen explosion at one of Japan's nuclear power plants. According to several news sources, this explosion could be felt and heard from some 25 miles away.

Now, I am not a nuclear expert by any stretch of the imagination......but not too long ago, I had security clearance at 2 nuclear power plants.....including the highest security clearance allowed at 1 particular plant. This clearance allowed me access to all points of the nuclear power plant, including the control room. I made some 2 dozen + visits to each plant. They are mindblowing in the amount of people needed to staff and also the size and scope of the operation. But to my amazement, the control room looked like something out of the 1960s. In fact, these were old school plants.....built in the Kennedy/LBJ era and the gauges, dials, and what not in the control room looked like something you would see in an episode of the Simpsons. I was rather shocked that this particular control room was so 60s in design and function.

Anyways, I do not think the Japanese government is being completely truthfull about the danger associated with these explosions and the release of radiation. When you have an explosion (and a hydrogen explosion at that) in the building where the nuclear reactor is located, and that explosion is felt 25 miles away, they you have a VERY SERIOUS SITUATION ON YOUR HANDS.

The Japanese government is trying to downplay these latest developments, but I am telling you, this is SOME SERIOUS SHIT ! I think the Japanese officials are just simply overwhelmed, what with the loss of 10's of thousands of lives (possibly much higher than that), complete towns and cities wiped off the map, and several nuclear power plants in danger of meltdown and major radiation release.

And I am also hearing that the United States Navy Aircraft Carrier Ronald Reagan has been exposed to a radioactive cloud of emissions from one of the nuclear plants in question. This is not good.

Do not be fooled into thinking this story is over or under control. This is a very, very serious and dangerous situation and I am hoping that the Japanese government can get a handle on this.....or perhaps ask for assistance from other countries in trying to halt this very, very dangerous nuclear catastrophe.

The prevailing winds (west to east) could easily make this a global problem.....not just a Japan problem. Let's hope this does not happen.

Marcis, according to Japan's media, the reactors shutdown automatically. This means control rods were inserted into the reactor to stop the nuclear reaction.

From what I understand of the media reports, the explosions are due to the reactor not being cooled. Normally, this is some serious sh!t. However, since the rods were inserted and everything stopped, its nowhere near as bad. Although it can still cause damage to the reactor. Its like turning off the burner on an electric stove, it stays hot for a period of time until it cools down. Although we are talking about temps over 5,000 degrees F.

A hydrogen explosion is a result of water being heated so much as it breaks down into its componet parts. This ONLY happens if the water is being superheated.

According to media reports, the actual reactor core so far is undamaged. At those temps, I would suspect some reactor damage, but no meltdown as to the extent that happened in Chernobel. (we have a containment vessel where as Chernobel didn't have one)

Nuclear power plants in an area subject to earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes. I mean, what could go wrong?

Hey Forkush- how come there's no looting in Japan?

The Red Cross is already on the scene and helping victims. You can contribute to the effort here:

Help Japan Equake victims...

I guarantee it will make you feel better than flushing $20 down the Megabucks slot.