Japan: 9.0 Earthquake-Tsunami-Nuclear Reactor Developments #1

[Quiche]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/11/japan-tsunami-earthquake-live-coverage

The loss of cooling to THREE reactors!

 

[not_my_kids]

I think it's time to face reality...there will also be radiation to contend with. I undersatnd the stance of the japanese government, and I know how dangerous a public panic could be right now, but, let's face the facts here. The aid workers can't get there. The system is very hot, and it needs to be cooled. The only way to cool it fast enough is to keep the power going, and that's not going to be possible without a miracle. Barring Godly intervention, there will be a meltdown. Probably not the end of the world, possibly not even as large as Chernobyl, but it does seem like it is imminent at this point.

 

[peeples]

from the wiki link

Update 5:33 EST: Both reactors at the plant have been damaged, and officials say they have "lost control" of the pressure, according to Reuters

 

[wfgodot]

The loss of cooling to THREE reactors!

Right now we can only hope that some of these reports are incorrect. But I followed the Guardian's live update coverage of the situation in Egypt and then in Libya, and they've been doing a good job of sorting through the many reports as events unfold live, and evaluating the quality of information as it comes in.

 

[peeples]

OHHH wonder what's going on.. the sentence above is now gone..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_I_Nuclear_Power_Plant

 

[gibby207]

Although I maybe the only one looking for someone, this is an incredible tool launched.

I'm getting more heartbroken with each passing hour.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-kno...o-track-the-aftermath-of-japans-tsunami/7875/

 

[wfgodot]

11.10pm GMT: The Fukushima Daini plant has now been added to the government's emergency list.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/11/japan-tsunami-earthquake-live-coverage

ETA:

Earlier, Tepco – the Tokyo Power company – had reported:

A seriously injured worker is still trapped in the crane operating console of the exhaust stack and his breathing and pulse cannot be confirmed.

 

[Quiche]

Holy cow, time to look at the prevailing winds. Ugh! Where would a plume go?

 

[gibby207]

Holy cow, time to look at the prevailing winds. Ugh! Where would a plume go?

My guess is that it would follow the jet stream. And I'm in WA.

 

[not_my_kids]

Although I maybe the only one looking for someone, this is an incredible tool launched.

I'm getting more heartbroken with each passing hour.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-kno...o-track-the-aftermath-of-japans-tsunami/7875/

You're not the only one. I am damn near frantic waiting for word on a friend that was in Tokyo. That's why I've been glued here all day. Prayers for you and yours.

 

[peeples]

from that guardian link that godot has been awesome about

A seriously injured worker is still trapped in the crane operating console of the exhaust stack and his breathing and pulse cannot be confirmed.

 

[gibby207]

You're not the only one. I am damn near frantic waiting for word on a friend that was in Tokyo. That's why I've been glued here all day. Prayers for you and yours.

My friend used to live in the Chiba prefecture, I believe Yachimata City, but he has moved to the coast.... north of Chiba somewhere... to build a hotel on the beach. I'm terrified of where he may be. I am going to attempt to call him after my work.

Hugs to you as well.

 

[Quiche]

This is an informative article if you really want to know the details of nuclear power plants. It's put in simple terms.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/karl-grossman/japan-nuclear-fukushima-_b_834559.html

 

[Melanie]

Holy cow, time to look at the prevailing winds. Ugh! Where would a plume go?

That's what I'm thinking. Anyone have any idea? The media is sure not covering it (CNN).

Thanks,

Mel

 

[Quiche]

My guess is that it would follow the jet stream. And I'm in WA.

I'm in California. :anguish:

 

[peeples]

Exactly.. I find it weird.. usually the news is all gung ho about hypothetical scenerios.. but they are flat out silent on the reactor stuff and the What ifs.....

 

[raeann]

You're not the only one. I am damn near frantic waiting for word on a friend that was in Tokyo. That's why I've been glued here all day. Prayers for you and yours.

Most areas in the south are all ok.....I heard through FB early this morning from a family friend in the southern Japan area. There are several sites popping up on news sources for checking on friends. The more information you have to input on the person, the better, according to one site they were discussing.

 

[noZme]

Make sure he brings you some grape juice for grown-ups.

Oh yeah, assuming you meant fermented juice!

A friend is reporting to us from a hotel in Tokyo, says chaos in the city is under-reported. He began in a light-hearted tone "rocking & rolling in Tokyo" then after the enormity of the situation became known, he got serious really quick. The lobby is filled with people who are stranded, water, electricty & food may not last. He is a pilot, was on 24 hour layover, now says it will be at least Monday before he can get out.

 

[peeples]

The cooling system failed at three reactors of the quake-hit Fukushima No. 2 [Daini] nuclear power plant Saturday, the operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. said.

The company, which has already scrambled to deal with radiation leaks at its Fukushima [Daiichi] No. 1 plant, notified the industry ministry that the failsafe system at the No. 2 plant stopped functioning as the temperature of coolant water has topped 100 C.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/11/japan-tsunami-earthquake-live-coverage

I'm gonna go make dinner in between having a heart attack

 

[wfgodot]

The Daily Telegraph's top of the page headline isn't encouraging (and DT is a broadsheet and not a tabloid!)

Japan earthquake: nuclear disaster looms as reactor boils

They have a live link too but it hasn't updated for awhile:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8375373/Japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-live.html

NEW GUARDIAN UPDATE:

11.29pm GMT: This is more chilling news from Kyodo:

The cooling system failed at three reactors of the quake-hit Fukushima No. 2 [Daini] nuclear power plant Saturday, the operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. said.

The company, which has already scrambled to deal with radiation leaks at its Fukushima [Daiichi] No. 1 plant, notified the industry ministry that the failsafe system at the No. 2 plant stopped functioning as the temperature of coolant water has topped 100 C.

So much for the "failsafe system", which appears to have failed.