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Fukushima

Airborne Radiation levels based on computer assumptions

Japanese Cabinet Secretary, Edano Yukio, explained that the atmospheric radiation levels being published are based on air samples not taken near the nuclear plant, and a computer model.

Edano said the radiation levels at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, are too high to take air samples there.  Air samples have been taken in surrounding areas. Then a computer program is used to make radiation level assumptions, based on the samples and possible wind speed and direction.

In other words, it’s a best computer guess.

Fukushima, International

Ring of Fire Seismic Events part 4 Largest Deadliest

The United States Geological Survey has vast data on earthquakes.  I looked at their “Largest and Deadliest Earthquake” list, which spans 1990 to 2011.

I looked at just those quakes on the Pacific Ring of Fire. I was looking to see if there was an increase in frequency and/or magnitude over the past 21 years.

There were a total of 31 “largest/deadliest” earthquakes on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The magnitudes ranged from 6.3 to 9.1 Richter scale. It looks like the amount of activity is spread evenly over the past 21 years, but it’s deceptive.  From year to year the pattern of activity is interesting.

1990 one,  1991 two, 1992 one, 1993 one, 1994 two, 1995 three, 1996 one, 1997 two, 1998 one, 1999 one.  At this point it looks like there is a loose pattern; 1/2/1/1/2/3/1/2/1/1.

2000 two, 2001 one, 2002 one, 2003 one, 2004 two, 2005 one, 2006 two, 2007 two, 2008 zero, 2009 two, 2010 one, 2011 two.  The pattern is different; 2/1/1/1/2/1/2/2/0/2/1/2.

Where the most quakes hit changes as well.  In the 1990s Japan was hit by one large/deadly quake.  From 2000 to 2011, Japan has been hit by two large/deadly quakes.  But check out Indonesia. In the 1990s the Indonesian islands were hit with two large/deadly quakes.  From 2000 to 2010 the Indonesian islands suffered six large/deadly quakes.  On the Americas side of the Pacific Ring it looks like quakes are more evenly spread out over the years.  From 1990 to 2011 a total of eight large/deadly earthquakes were spread from Alaska to Chile.

What is clear is that the activity is more frequent, and stronger, on the Asian side of the Pacific Ring (probably because that’s where the Pacific plate slams under the Eurasian plate).  But that’s no reason not to prepare, if you don’t live on the Asian side.

Note: The Japanese islands and the Indonesia islands are affected by several plates. Japan sits on the Eurasian plate, which is being hit by the Pacific plate and Philippine plate.  Indonesia straddles the Eurasian and Philippine plates, which are getting hit by the Pacific plate.

 

 

Fukushima

No tap water for Babies

Japanese officials have asked people to not give infants tap water.

This is based on government limits on radiation levels that are considered harmful to infants. Radioactive iodine is one of the contaminants found in the water. Radioactive iodine causes thyroid cancer.

The official says the source of the radiation is not clear.  Can you say, Fukushima?

Fukushima

Do not eat the spinach, or anything eles from Fukushima

The Japanese government is telling people not to eat any leafy vegetables, not just spinach, from Fukushima prefecture.  They also say turnips area no go as well.  One leafy vegetable has 150 times the safe limit of radiation.

Also, shipments of parsley and milk from Ibaraki prefecture, have been halted.

The ban on shipment applies to products that have not been sent to markets.

The eating ban applies to products that have already hit the markets.

Fukushima, Technology

Tokyo Electric says power outages will continue into summer

TEPCo said that Japan needs to prepare for rolling blackouts well into summer 2011.

The power shortage is a direct result of the nuclear disaster.

TEPCo is warning Japanese industries to make plans for the power shortage, such as reducing production.

Fukushima

Quakes shotgun Japan, rail lines shut down

Several Prefectures reporting aftershocks of 3 to 6 on the Japanese quake scale.

At least 5 prefectures were mentioned, including Fukushima, Miyagi, Ibaraki and Tokai.

People in Fukushima say two quakes hit, and they were sharp upward jolts.  In another prefecture they reported an upward jolt. In yet another prefecture a sideways jolt followed by an upward jolt.

In another prefecture the recently restored rail service was shut down.

Aftershocks felt all over Honshu today.

Fukushima

TEPCO apologizes for causing “trouble”

TEPCO Executive Vice President Norio Tsuzumi, apologized to peole who have been evacuated because of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster: ”We are sorry to have caused you too much trouble.”

There are rumors that the elusive CEO of TEPCO, has taken responsibility for the nuclear disaster.