17MAR2011
The situation in Japan, with Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, is similar to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, in that nuclear fuel was exposed. The Japanese are trying to deal with the situation by dumping water onto the reactors and spent fuel pools. At this point only partial melting of fuel rods have occurred. How did […] Continue Reading…
The U.S. dollar has fallen in value against the Japanese Yen. This is because Japanese government and corporations are cashing in their chips. They are cashing in the foreign bonds they hold, in order to raise cash to help deal with the disasters. Corporations, including insurance companies which expect pay out huge claims, are […] Continue Reading…
To put the cooling situation in perspective, an analyst in Japan pointed out that each water drop by helicopter, drops about 7 tons of water.
The spent fuel pools/ponds use up to 2000 tons of water (yes, 2000 tons). It is clear that even with several drops, it is not enough. Plant officials reported that […] Continue Reading…
For a third day, the DOW fell big, along with other U.S. stock markets. Stock markets around the world being affected. This is because Japan has become the “parts” supplier to the global economy. Auto parts to electronic chips are made in Japan. This production has come to a virtual stand still. One analyst […] Continue Reading…
Japanese Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, says nuclear danger area expanded to 80km (50 miles).
Reports that the U.S. has expanded the area to 90km, Edano could not confirm.
Edano also asking all medical personnel in Japan to prepare to help. Expectant women have priority.
Japan Defense Minister, Toshimi Kitazawa, just said that radiation levels at Fukushima Daiichi are too high to safely conduct ground operations, as well as aerial operations. Despite the dangerous radiation levels, the situation is so bad that they have decide to re-start cooling operations.
At an altitude of 300 meters (984 feet), 87.7 millisieverts (87,7oo […] Continue Reading…
Officials at INL are watching events in Japan very carefully. The INL has their own reactor, and it is the location for the first nuclear plant in the United States.
The INL continues to be active in nuclear power, and clean up, applications.
INL officials say the use of sea water to cool nuclear reactors has […] Continue Reading…
Japanese officials saying all six reactors at Fukushima Daiichi, are in trouble, but the immediate, and most serious situation are reactor 3 & 4. This is because spent fuel rods are overheating, or on fire.
Police from Tokyo have begun using their riot control water trucks to spray water on reactor 4, Fukushima Daiichi.
The JSDF has resumed dropping water on reactor 3, despite high radiation levels. Officials say the overheating situation has become so bad that they had no choice but to have helicopter crews be exposed to high […] Continue Reading…
TEPCO, operator of the Fukushima Daiichi, says they are trying to lay new electric power lines to the plant. This is an attempt to restore power to the plant, to help fight the disaster. All earlier attempts to restore power failed.