UPDATE: (3/12/11 8:21EST) An explosion has occurred at the Fukushima plant releasing radiation, and destroying part of the containment vessel wall. Residents have been move more than 12 miles from the facility.
UPDATE: (6:54 EST) Second Nuclear Plant in Japan is declaring emergency.
UPDATE: (05:18 EST) Report Radiation levels increasing around Nuclear Facility, evacuation in effect.
UPDATE: (05:14 EST) Three of the four Nuclear cores are low on coolant, radiation levels are increasing.
If the nuclear facility goes critical fallout will hit the West Coast of the US first.
The multi-core Fukushima nuclear power plant that was damaged during the 8.9 earthquake that hit today March 11th is in a melt-down potential crisis. The power plant shutdown immediately, by dropping neutron absorbing graphite rods into the reactor core. However the core stays hot for up to 48 hours after the shutdown process is initiated. The problem now is the cooling pumps have been damaged by the quake causing a reactor number 1 core and vessel overheating.
The US Air Force is flying in backup diesel water pumps to replace the electric battery pumps that will not operate for more than an eight hour period. Cooling water is not getting to the reactor core, causing a build up of steam inside the containment vessel.The other danger is a explosive hydrogen buildup. The only way to prevent an explosion is to vent the containment vessel releasing radiation into the atmosphere.
If the nuclear power plant's core were to melt down, the radiation could spread to the West coast of the United States hitting California first. If the plant does explode be sure to have plenty of bottled water and canned food. This is a multi-core power plant with four times the nuclear material of the Chernobyl power plant.
If the nuclear power plant's core were to melt down, the radiation could spread to the West coast of the United States hitting California first. If the plant does explode be sure to have plenty of bottled water and canned food. This is a multi-core power plant with four times the nuclear material of the Chernobyl power plant.