Huge earthquake..Japan

[seemslikeadream]

Radiation levels in Fukushima Daiichi plant central control unit is 1,000 times normal, Kyodo says
by Reuters_Helen Cook at 3/11/2011 9:44:44 PM4:44 PM

http://live.reuters.com/Event/Japan_earthquake2

In 20 minutes it's gone from 8 times normal to 1,000 times normal!

Not loookin good

[alwyn]

fallout from quake in California

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/ ... 2243.shtml

tsunami levels commercial district in Crescent City, Ca

[ninakat]

another link on the nuke plant

NUKE PLANT: Japan PM Orders Wider Evacuation, As Radiation Levels Hit 1000X Normal
http://www.businessinsider.com/fukushim ... ant-2011-3

[seemslikeadream]

Another Massive Earthquake Rocks Japan 6.6

Massive 8.9 Earthquake Slams Japan, Unleashing 23-Foot Tsunami, Hundreds Dead
Air and rail service disrupted, thousands evacuated near nuclear power plant.


Tokyo, JAPAN -- The most powerful earthquake to hit Japan in at least 100 years unleashed walls of water Friday that swept across rice fields, engulfed towns, dragged houses onto highways and tossed cars and boats like toys, apparently killing hundreds and forcing the evacuations of tens of thousands.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the "enormously powerful" earthquake had caused "tremendous damage over a wide area."

Japanese media, citing local and national police, said hundreds of people were dead and hundreds more missing. The 2:46 p.m. quake struck 373 kilometers (230 miles) from Tokyo, the United States Geological Survey said.

The quake prompted the U.S. National Weather Service to issue tsunami warnings for at least 50 countries and territories, although initial reports as the waves reached locations outside of Japan indicated no damage.

Japan's Kyodo News Service, citing Japan's defense forces, said 60,000 to 70,000 people were being evacuated to shelters in the Sendai area.

Japanese authorities ordered the precautionary evacuation of the area around a nuclear plant affected by the earthquake, saying that while there was no immediate danger, crews were having trouble cooling the reactor. The Fukushima plant is one of four closest to the quake that the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said were safety shut down.

Video aired by NHK showed widespread fires in Hakodate in the southern part of Hokkaido island in northern Japan. An oil refinery was burning in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo, according to NHK, and firefighters could not get close enough to fight it because of the heat. And Kyodo said fires could be seen in extensive areas of Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture.

Also in Miyagi, officials reported that a train had derailed and authorities had lost contact with another train, Kyodo reported.

The epicenter was offshore about 370 kilometers (230 miles) away from Tokyo, the United States Geological Survey said.

But residents there continued to feel aftershocks hours after the quake. More than 30 aftershocks followed, with the strongest measuring 7.1.

The prime minister said an emergency task force had been activated, and appealed for calm. The government dispatched 8,000 troops to assist in the recovery effort and asked for U.S. military assistance, according to Kyodo.

A spokesman for the U.S. military bases in Japan said all service members were accounted for and there were no reports of damage to installations or ships.

President Barack Obama offered his condolences and said the United States is standing by to help "in this time of great trial."

Images from Japanese media and CNN iReporters showed smoke pouring from buildings and water rushing across fields, carrying away entire structures.

"I wasn't scared when it started ... but it just kept going and going," said Michelle Roberts, who lives in central Tokyo. "I won't lie, it was quite scary. But we are all OK. We live on the third floor, so most everything shook and shifted."

The quake toppled cars off bridges and into waters underneath. Waves of debris flowed like lava across farmland, pushing boats, houses and trailers. About 4 million homes had no power in Tokyo and surrounding areas.

The quake disrupted rail service, which was halted for a time following the quake. It also affected air travel. Hundreds of flights were canceled, Kyodo said. Some 13,000 people were stranded at the Narita airport, and 10,000 were stuck at the Haneda airport, Kyodo said.

At Tokyo Station, one of Japan's busiest subway terminals, shaken commuters grabbed one another to stay steady as the ground shook. Dazed residents poured into the streets after offices and schools were closed. Children cried.

Residents said though earthquakes are common in Japan, Friday's stunned most people.

[SanDiegoBuffGuy]

All very interesting articles and videos.

I have a little problem with those YouTube videos of the guy offering up his analysis and commentary about the quakes and what the quakes mean in a larger context. The graphics are cool, though.

He says about the events in Japan, in the second video, at around 1:24: "(It is) a massive geologic upheaval on an unprecedented historical scale never before seen in human history" and, "look at the planet - something's going on." He also states that his car is packed with food and supplies.

I hope that food isn't perishable. You're not going anywhere.

After the 7.1 Easter Sunday quake here in San Diego last year, I watched the USGS site like a hawk and even filed my little reports in the "did you feel it?" section of the site whenever I felt an aftershock, which were many (some waking me up at night). One thing that amazed me - besides the endless temblors for weeks and weeks after that quake - was just how many other earthquakes were going on in the world at the same time that we never heard about. I thought, just looking at the data, that the world was coming apart. In reality, there are always lots of quakes all over the world. You can log onto the USGS site at any given time and see. Last year it was personal because it happened under my feet, but these things happen all the time and with greater frequency than we might think.

[Jeff]

Threat of Nuclear Disaster in Japan

Kevin Kamps is a specialist in nuclear waste at Beyond Nuclear. Last year he was in Japan assessing the state of nuclear facilities there. He said today: “The electrical grid is down. The emergency diesel generators have been damaged. The multi-reactor Fukushima atomic power plant is now relying on battery power, which will only last around eight hours. The danger is, the very thermally hot reactor cores at the plant must be continuously cooled for 24 to 48 hours. Without any electricity, the pumps won’t be able to pump water through the hot reactor cores to cool them. Once electricity is lost, the irradiated nuclear fuel could begin to melt down. If the containment systems fail, a catastrophic radioactivity release to the environment could occur.

“In addition to the reactor cores, the storage pool for highly radioactive irradiated nuclear fuel is also at risk. The pool cooling water must be continuously circulated. Without circulation, the still thermally hot irradiated nuclear fuel in the storage pools will begin to boil off the cooling water. Within a day or two, the pool’s water could completely boil away. Without cooling water, the irradiated nuclear fuel could spontaneously combust in an exothermic reaction. Since the storage pools are not located within containment, a catastrophic radioactivity release to the environment could occur. Up to 100 percent of the volatile radioactive Cesium-137 content of the pools could go up in flames and smoke, to blow downwind over large distances. Given the large quantity of irradiated nuclear fuel in the pool, the radioactivity release could be worse than the Chernobyl nuclear reactor catastrophe of 25 years ago.”

http://www.accuracy.org/release/threat- ... -in-japan/

[ninakat]

^^^ unbelievably frightening scenarios

[American Dream]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/karl-gros ... 34559.html

Nuclear Emergency in Japan
by Karl Grossman

What Japan is now trying to avoid is a complete loss of power to the cooling systems at its Fukushima nuclear power plant. This would lead to a loss-of-coolant or meltdown accident -- a disaster which could have catastrophic impacts on Japan and much of the world.

Radioactive material is used in a nuclear plant as a heat source -- to boil water and produce steam that turns a turbine that generates electricity. Huge amounts of radioactive material are made to go through a chain reaction, a process in which atomic particles bombard the nuclei of atoms, causing them to break up and generate heat.

But to keep the nuclear reaction in check -- to prevent the material from overheating -- vast amounts of coolant are required -- up to a million gallons of water a minute in the most common nuclear plants that have been built ("light water" reactors). That is why nuclear plants are sited along rivers and bays, to use the water as coolant.

If the water which cools the reactor "core" -- its 200,000 to 300,000 pounds of radioactive fuel load -- stops flowing, the "emergency core cooling system" must send water in. If it fails, a loss-of-coolant or meltdown accident can occur.

In such an accident, the core of nuclear fuel, which in less than a minute can reach 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, burns through the cement bottom of the nuclear plant and bores into the earth. This is what U.S. nuclear scientists have dubbed the "China syndrome" -- based on a nuclear plant on their side of the planet undergoing an accident seemingly sending its white-hot core in the direction of China.

In fact, the radioactive core doesn't -- in any location -- go to China but it descends to the water table underlying a plant. Then, in a violent reaction, molten core and cold water combine, creating steam explosions and releasing a plume of radioactive poisons.

The problem at Fukushima Diachi nuclear facility is that one of its six reactors lost all its power as a result of the earthquake. Back-up diesel generators didn't work, so battery power became necessary to keep coolant water flowing. If the battery power is depleted and electric power is not otherwise restored, a loss-of-coolant accident or meltdown would ensue.

"The emergency shutdown has been conducted but the process of cooling down the reaction is currently not going as planned," explained Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, according to CNN.

Thus, Japan declared a state of "atomic power emergency" and people living within three kilometers of the Fukushima facility were advised to evacuate.

In fact, if the coolant flow is not maintained and a loss-of-coolant accident with a "breach of containment" occurs, people way beyond three kilometers around Fukushima would be impacted. The radioactive releases in the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident affected the entire northern hemisphere, as a book published last year by the New York Academy of Sciences documents. And Chernobyl: Consequences of the Catastrophe for People and the Environment, authored by Dr. Alexey Yablokov, Dr. Vassily Nesterenko and Dr. Alexey Nesterenko, finds that medical records between 1986, the year of the accident, and 2004 reflect 985,000 deaths as a result of the radioactivity released. Most of the deaths were in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, but others were spread through the many other countries the radiation from Chernobyl struck.

Where the radioactivity spreads after a nuclear plant meltdown is largely a function of where winds take the radioactivity and of the rain that causes it to fall out.

There are numerous lessons to be learned from the situation now underway in Japan including why a nation situated on a string of volcanic islands would build nuclear power plants, vulnerable as they are to earthquakes. Of course, Japan is not alone on this score: in the U.S., the Diablo Canyon nuclear facility in California was built less than three miles from the Hosgri earthquake fault.

Nuclear power plants are, in fact, life-threatening wherever they are -- they represent the most dangerous way to boil water ever devised.

Wind, solar and geothermal energy and other forms of safe, clean power would not cause massive deadly damage because of an earthquake.

_____________________________________
Karl Grossman is an investigative reporter based on Long Island (NY) and a professor of Journalism at SUNY Old Westbury. He will be on a panel at the Left Forum in NYC on Saturday March 19 at 5 p.m., discussing the "Nuclear Relapse."

[seemslikeadream]

On the Brink of Meltdown: The Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant
The devastating Japanese quake and its outcome could generate a political tsunami here in the United States.

by Robert Alvarez
In the aftermath of the largest earthquake to occur in Japan in recorded history, 5,800 residents living within five miles of six reactors at the Fukushima nuclear station have been advised to evacuate and people living within 15 miles of the plant are advised to remain indoors.
This October 2008 photo shows the Fukushima No. 1 power plant of Tokyo Electric Power Co. at Okuma, Fukushima prefecture, northern Japan. Japan's top government spokesman says the country has issued a state of emergency at the nuclear power plant after its cooling system failed. (AP Photo)

Plant operators haven't been able to cool down the core of one reactor containing enormous amounts of radioactivity because of failed back-up diesel generators required for the emergency cooling. In a race against time, the power company and the Japanese military are flying in nine emergency generators. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced today that the U.S. Air Force has provided cooling water for the troubled reactor. Complicating matters, Japan's Meteorological Agency has declared the area to be at high risk of being hit by a tsunami.

The plant was operating at full power when the quake hit and even though control rods were automatically inserted to halt the nuclear reaction, the reactor core remains very hot. Even with a fully functioning emergency core cooling system, it would take several hours for the reactor core to cool and stabilize. If emergency cooling isn't restored, the risks of a core melt, and release of radioactivity into the environment is significantly increased. Also, it's not clear if piping and electrically distribution systems inside the plant have been damaged. If so, that would interfere with reactor cooling.

A senior U.S. nuclear power technician tells me the window of time before serious problems arise is between 12 and 24 hours.

Early on, Japanese nuclear officials provided reassurances that no radiation had been released. However, because the reactor remains at a very high temperature, radiation levels are rising on the turbine building – forcing to plant operators to vent radioactive steam into the environment.

The devastating Japanese quake and its outcome could generate a political tsunami here in the United States. For instance, it may become impossible for the owners of the San Onofre and Diablo Canyon reactors to extend their operating.

These two California reactors are sitting in high seismic risk zones near earthquake faults. Each is designed to withstand a quake as great as 7.5 on the Richter scale. According to many seismologists, the probability of a major earthquake in the California coastal zone in the foreseeable future is a near certainty. The U.S. Geological Survey reports the largest registering 8.3 on the Richter scale devastated San Francisco in 1906.

"There have been tremblers felt at U.S. plants over the past several years, but nothing approaching the need for emergency action," Scott Burnell, a spokesman at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission told Reuters.

As the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe approaches next month, Japan's earthquake serve as a reminder that the risks of nuclear power, when things go seriously wrong. The Chernobyl accident required nearly a million emergency responders and cleanup workers. More than 100,000 residents from 187 settlements were permanently evacuated because of radioactive contamination. And area an equal to half of the State of New Jersey was rendered uninhabitable.

Fortunately, U.S. and Japanese reactors have extra measures of protection that were lacking at Chernobyl, such as a secondary concrete containment structure over the reactor vessel to prevent escape of radioactivity. In 1979, the containment structure at the Three Mile Island reactor did prevent the escape of a catastrophic amount of radioactivity after the core melted. But people living nearby were exposed to higher levels of radiation from the accident and deliberate venting to stabilize the reactor. With one hour, the multi-billion dollar investment in that plant went down the drain.

Meanwhile, let's hope that the core of the Japanese reactor can be cooled in time. We shouldn't need yet another major nuclear power accident to wake up the public and decision-makers to the fact that there are better and much safer ways to make electricity

[justdrew]

After the fifth largest earthquake on record struck off Japan’s east coast, a bizarre thing happened: a huge whirlpool formed in the waters near the coast. At time of this writing, hours after the quake, waters were still swirling.

This video is from the BBC, taken from Japanese state television, broadcast March 11, 2011.

[SonicG]

As some here may know, I live in Hiroshima but we are quite far from the epicenter and I have just been watching the news too - the reporting has been constant here of course.
Interestingly, that volcano is in Kyushu, the southern Island, where another volcano has been erupting since last month.
Have you seen this vid?

[Ben D]

TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo Electric Power said it had lost its ability to control pressure in some of the reactors of a second nuclear power plant at its quake-hit Fukushima facility in northeastern Japan.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/8998956/tepco-loses-control-of-pressure-at-2nd-nuclear-plant/

[winsomecowboy2]

The whirlpool is evidence of a strong rip tide or current flowing towards the man made obstruction across the beach and then being forced by that obstruction to turn offshore. It's in obviously shallow coastal water and is a minor artifact IMO . It's weak enough , probably because of the comparatively little volume involved for the boat to be very close to the center. The current action would be along that boom or whatever it is.

The other video with the emotionally charged woman with the "astrophysicist!" mantra.

"A comet, a meteor, a brown dwarf "
She seems to forget things have names for a reason. Her lack of rational thought is illogical and hysterical.
The earths crust moves
A comet or meteor or brown dwarf approaches.
Someone had a dream and what's more millions of people have had bad dreams and the narrator had some too.
The planet has tectonic plates and activity happens at their edges.
Cities exist on those edges.

Ladies and gentlemen with as much quavery self righteousness as I can muster I give you my messiah complex i wrapped up in suburban software and confirmation bias topped off with the garnish of a movie opening this weekend.

The rockerfella clan are all holidaying in India too.

Color me skeptical . We had a magnetic pole reversal and yellowstone dead cert here a couple of months ago didn't we?

I suppose in a world without meaning a held certainty it will end on a given weekend is briefly palliative .

Excuse my intolerance . Perhaps see you next weekend?

[Nordic]

Lots of photos:

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/0 ... japan.html

[charlie meadows]

Earthquake predicted in January...

http://www.december212012.com/phpBB2/vi ... 11fa056a26

It is said if the Moon's orbit is aligned with the Earth just right...
in the past.. this has and in the future... will result in causing one or more massive earthquakes.

And it just so happens this coming March 11, 2011 is going to be one of these times
one of those orbits between the Moon and Earth take place.

And, one rumor... already has it that a
California group of geologists are asking their cohorts not to taking any chances..
and - recommend that any
of their cohorts that are going to be caught in what might be called - the back country...
a few days before or after the date of March 11, 2011, be sure to have at least
three months of needed supplies with them.

That doesn't mean California is the place where a major Earthquake takes place on this date.
The most remembered event when this type of orbit took
place was in the middle of the Indian Ocean when a 9.2 earthquake hit December 26. 2004.
And, well over a quarter of a MILLION died caused by the terrible tsunami from the earthquake.

Now... that you're aware of the possible chances???????
Caution wise... will you take any special particular steps to prepare ahead of time...
In the event there could be massive earthquake in and or around your area?
Is there any advise you can share with others?

With a warning...

I suggest... just because Japan presently seems to be
the only real victim of a serious earthquake... at this time.. (today)...
I recommend you and anyone else living on the West Coast keep paying attention
to any alerts coming your way...
I have a bad feeling until March 19th passes that humanity hasn't seen the last of
these colossal catastrophic earthquakes making their present known.
I sure hope I'm wrong... I do... but... I wouldn't bet on it!