HUGE earthquake and tsunami hit Japan...

[Triple J]

Here in AZ we have a nuclear energy plant about 45 miles from central Phoenix (population approx 1,321,045), from time to time I've worried about our proximity in the event of a dangerous situation like this.  

I wouldn't worry too much. You aren't in a real seismically active part of the country, and a tsunamai isn't going to happen. Human error is about the only thing that could happen...and that is very unlikely.

The alternative is continuously breathing the thousands of tons of pollutants discharged by a coal or gas power plant.  Power isn't free.

[Monster Dave]

I wouldn't worry too much. You aren't in a real seismically active part of the country, and a tsunamai isn't going to happen. Human error is about the only thing that could happen...and that is very unlikely.

You're absolutely right. Odds are very remote, but the thought is frightening and lends itself in a small way to relate what the people of Japan must be facing. God be with them.


In a small attempt at levity on a sincerely tragic topic, someone said to me this morning that with the radiation going out to sea, we'll probably see a dear friend of the Japanese come to save the day:

[Triple J]

Unbelievable the destruction of a tsunamai. Geez. 

Before/After pics:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/japan-quake-2011/beforeafter.htm

[Monsterlover]

derby from page 7, 2nd post.

not that it really matters

[Drjones]

Fukushima plants weren't the only ones affected btw, but are the only ones were the cooling system backup generators were damaged by the tsunami leaving only the battery backup which only lasts 8 hours leaving pumping seawater the only option.  If the generators weren't damaged then the Fukushima plants would be OK, since they shut down normally when the quake happened.

[He Man]

You're absolutely right. Odds are very remote, but the thought is frightening and lends itself in a small way to relate what the people of Japan must be facing. God be with them.


In a small attempt at levity on a sincerely tragic topic, someone said to me this morning that with the radiation going out to sea, we'll probably see a dear friend of the Japanese come to save the day:

Godzilla cant do much unless hes got retarded deep pockets.

[Ddan]

Another set-back

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110314/ap_on_bi_ge/as_japan_earthquake_nuclear_crisis

[ungeheuer]

Another set-back

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/15/3164151.htm

[mitt]

Things are going worse.  Before this is done, I think it will be closer to the Chernobyl disaster than 3 mile island....  This could be bad, very bad, for not just Japan, but the entire globe from an environmental and economic standpoint.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703908304576201382455819162.html

I had the impression from the start that this was worse than the government and utility was admitting.

mitt

[Monster Dave]

I think that the next big question that I have yet to see being addressed is if there is in fact a radiation cloud following the jet-stream, where will it end up and how will that impact Hawaii and the west coast of the US??

[mitt]

I think that the next big question that I have yet to see being addressed is if there is in fact a radiation cloud following the jet-stream, where will it end up and how will that impact Hawaii and the west coast of the US??

One of the dozen videos I watched addressed that.  It is here but you might have to watch a couple vids to get to the one with those details:
http://abcnews.go.com/International/japan-earthquake-radiation-leaking-fukushima-nuclear-plant-explodes/story?id=13131123&page=2

Much like the rest of the information out there, the answer was open ended.  Yes, the extreme heat of the meltdown could loft radioactive material into the jet stream.  Yes, some of it will make it to the US and its territories.  But, the amount will be "safe".  

As a side note, the first outside hint something was wrong in Chernobyl was from a Swedish nuclear facility that was monitoring air.  It is pretty easy to spread around when material burns.

mitt

[ungeheuer]

As a side note, the first outside hint something was wrong in Chernobyl was from a Swedish nuclear facility that was monitoring air.  It is pretty easy to spread around when material burns.

mitt

If its any consolation, I was in North Eastern Sweden when they detected incoming from Chernobyl.  As far as I know, I dont glow in the dark.   

I think that the next big question that I have yet to see being addressed is if there is in fact a radiation cloud following the jet-stream, where will it end up and how will that impact Hawaii and the west coast of the US??

For now I think you can save your concern for the unfortunate citizens of Japan, I seriously doubt that the USA will feel any direct ill effects. Economic repercussions notwithstanding.

[He Man]

even if carried in a jet stream, temperature effects, weather conditions and patterns will probably degrade the radiation to the point of no effect. Though I can't say for sure, but if i had to put my money on it, i wouldnt be all too concerned.

[il d00d]

For now I think you can save your concern for the unfortunate citizens of Japan, I seriously doubt that the USA will feel any direct ill effects. Economic repercussions notwithstanding.

Yep.  It is natural to wonder and worry, but for what concern I have over what the jet stream may bring our way, I am utterly horrified about what may just blow down the road in Japan.  I am sure everyone else here is, too.

Interesting reading, and by way of demonstrating that there is such a thing as a safe level of radiation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_equivalent_dose

[NAKID]

The carrier group was moved to a different area apparently as a precaution, not because they detected radiation.

Not true. The Reagan were moved specifically because of the radiation detected.

On another note, my carrier detected radiation this morning as well. As a precaution, the base has recommended that everyone stay inside with the windows closed. Again, just as a precaution. The normal radiation received from natural background sources (radon, cosmic rays, etc) is 360mrem. The amount detected on the flight crew was 17mrem...