The Mystery Plume Rising Over Fukushima’s Reactor 3

[jakeXT]

Fukushima’s Reactor Building 3 exploded on 13th March 2011 as a result of a hydrogen buildup, breaching the building’s containment and emitting a huge plume of radiation. The reactor itself is in meltdown.

And now fresh plumes of steam have been seen coming out the structure. These have now been confirmed by Tepco, the owner of the nuclear plant, from 19th December onwards. The company believes the steam is coming from the fifth floor of the building.

However it does not know the cause of the steam. Lethal levels of radiation and the physical damage to the structure have so far made entry and inspection impossible.

Possibility 1: a meltdown is taking place

...

Possibility 2: ‘corium’ has reached groundwater

...

Possibility 3: rainwater on stray fuel elements / Reactor

...

http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/01/01/the-mystery-plume-rising-over-fukushimas-reactor-3/

[rhett o rick]

1. k&r thanks for posting. nm

[kristopher]

11. This occurred in July 2013

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201307180037

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201307240036

[rhett o rick]

12. So what's your point? nm

[kristopher]

13. That it isn't new; the conditions causing the steam have been there since the meltdown

Here is coverage of the situation from a bilingual blogger in Japan who has been on top of this since 3/11/11. It looks like he wrote a special update because of the renewed cycle of coverage that has emerged in the past 2 days.

(For Record) #Fukushima I NPP Reactor 3 Operating Floor Situation Summary as of 12/31/2013
http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2013/12/for-record-fukushima-i-npp-reactor-3.html

ETA: If you're thinking I'm a defender of nuclear power, you'll want to check my journal.

[rhett o rick]

14. It's still steaming and Tepco doesnt know or doesnt want to tell us what is causing

the steam. The OP article gave some reasonable speculation as to the source.

[pa28]

2. And of course we're all left to speculate because TEPCO won't talk.

The continuing disaster at Fukushima has health implications for Americans and I was (naively) hoping the DOE's involvement in the cleanup would provide some openness and accountability.

Since the announcement of US participation in November there has been no news regarding our role and it seems nothing has changed. TEPCO, by the Japanese government's own admission can't handle this crisis alone yet that appears to be exactly what they are attempting.

[DeSwiss]

3. Corium + Groundwater = Mystery Plume. Duh. - K&R :-| n/t

[rickyhall]

4. How much radiation

before we decide nukes might be a bad idea?

Me, I've already decided long ago: Nukes - bad idea!

[mitty14u2]

5. What if the Fukushima Ice Wall Defrosts? Looking at Risks of Japan's Experiment

ARJUN MAKHIJANI, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research: Well, the last time we spoke, there were -- we talked about the leak and the radiation levels that could give a worker an annual radiation dose in 12 minutes.

Well, more recently, there have been reports that the radiation levels near another tank are 1,800 millisieverts per hour. This is an extremely high level of radiation. A few hours basically constitutes a lethal dose. So now we're talking about radioactive contamination in these tanks, the liquid stored in these tanks, that are very highly radioactive. And so these leaks are extremely problematic for the workers and for management.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/asia/july-dec13/fukushima2_09-03.html

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. thanks for keeping us up todate on this story

[Android3.14]

7. Godzilla?

Though Rhodan or Mothra would also be interesting.

[Peace Patriot]

8. I've often said that the 'TRADE SECRET' voting machines are...

...THE most important problem that we have, since riggable elections mean that no other grave problems can or will be solved, or even addressed--especially given that these highly riggable voting systems are everywhere in the U.S., and are largely owned and controlled by one. private. far rightwing-connected corporation (ES&S, which bought out Diebold).

It is possible, though, that Fukushima is THE most important problem that we have because, a) it could be the catapult that, with other impacts--climate change, melting polar ice caps, species extinctions, deforestation, other pollution--ends life on earth, and, b) more Fukushimas are not just possible, they are likely inevitable.

You could argue that the rigged elections are, even now, preventing effective action on Fukushima and on ending the nuclear power industry. But maybe I should rank them equally: TWO no. 1 problems. Fukushima (poisoning the Pacific Ocean NOW, as we speak), and 'TRADE SECRET' voting machines in the most powerful country on earth.

[L0oniX]

9. Mystery???

[blackspade]

10. Nothing to worry about...

Will be what the nuclear power shills will tell us.
Nuclear power is a disaster for the entire planet.
We need to stop now before we really fuck something up.