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Post by gelly14 on Mar 12, 2011 7:13:30 GMT -5
heathers thanks for the info. I'll try it the way you said.
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four56
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Post by four56 on Mar 12, 2011 7:23:09 GMT -5
I love your perspective! Thanks for cheering me up. I know nothing about nuclear power plants and I did read on another site (not Adam-related) that the international press is only focusing on the scariest aspects. Thanks, Gelly! Sorry to take the thread off topic. please dont EVER say that. First and foremost we are friends. I'm certain everyone here has the same opinion as I. Thanks, again. It really did help to talk about my nerves a bit. I got a message on facebook from someone I know in the states and she put me into pretty much of a panic and suggested that the wind direction can change any minute and I should get off facebook, do my homework about nuclear explosions, handling emergencies and get out of Japan now. Hoppers (and now you, too) really cheered me up and besides, where exactly would I go to escape the wind?  |
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Post by kittykay on Mar 12, 2011 7:33:27 GMT -5
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Post by HoppersSkippersMiners on Mar 12, 2011 7:41:19 GMT -5
Chernobyl was a complete clusterfuck with complete disregard for safety issues left and right. (Took a class with about 40% nuclear engineers in one of my grad programs, and we talked about it and Russia's mindboggling handling of nuclear and hazardous waste in general. Worked with a Russian scientist who emigrated.) Japan has MUCH better safety, but who could predict an earthquake of this magnitude? Honestly, I'm really (no joke) impressed as hell than only one plant has had an issue. Truly, for the number of nuclear plants and the size of the disaster, only one explosion? Still horrible, and of course there will be repercussions, but from an engineering standpoint I'm actually in awe. I can't stress how much worse this could have been without Japan's safety record. I also note that most of Tokyo is still standing. Applause for the civil engineers and the hundreds of people responsible for upholding the construction codes. I know this post probably sounds cold with so many people dead in the coastal areas, but it could have been so, so, much worse. Considering what happened, I'm truly astonished the toll isn't higher. Actually, I agree about the death toll. I kept expecting it to go up a lot today. Even the quake in Kobe in 1995 killed 6,000 people. That was without a tsunami. The death toll is at about 1300 tonight and it seems unbelieveble. As I understand it, there are 2 nuclear plants with problems-daiichi(number one) and daini(number two). Those two have 5 reactors between them. One reactor has had an explosion. Its possible the main problem will be lack of power which would be an absolute miracle. Hey four56 - First of all, I am **so** incredibly relieved you're online and posting today! As for the plants, the biggest issue seems to be cooling. But from what I'm hearing on the news, they ARE still able to get water onsite. This means means they (amazingly) have access to still-functioning backup generators to power those inlet pumps and/or have a really clever plant design with spillways. There's also obviously teams of qualified people onsite following their preplanned emergency procedures. Of course, things can get worse, but for a serious fuel rod problem, the hourly radiation levels don't seem that high. It sounds like all the right people are doing the right things to get everything under control. I think when all the dust (literally) settles, a lot of people should be getting kudos for their foresight and planning. I'm really so impressed on how well your country has handled things so far. In another nation with similar population densities and equivlent high-rises, etc, I seriously think we would be seeing death tolls in the millions. ----- Grr - I hate rewriting long posts. They never quite say what you meant as well as the first time. Sorry. |
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four56
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Post by four56 on Mar 12, 2011 7:55:40 GMT -5
Hoppers,
I would love to take credit for this being my country (especially in times like this), but alas I'm an American who has just lived here for a long time. Long enough that I do feel pride in the preparation and response in this situation. I think the frequency of natural disasters here has contributed to the national character of being cautious and serious.
At other times, of course, all this caution and seriousness drives me crazy (that's why I need Adam and Adamtopia), but today I'm very grateful for it.
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Post by HoppersSkippersMiners on Mar 12, 2011 8:03:24 GMT -5
four56 please dont EVER say that. First and foremost we are friends. I'm certain everyone here has the same opinion as I. Thanks, again. It really did help to talk about my nerves a bit. I got a message on facebook from someone I know in the states and she put me into pretty much of a panic and suggested that the wind direction can change any minute and I should get off facebook, do my homework about nuclear explosions, handling emergencies and get out of Japan now. Hoppers (and now you, too) really cheered me up and besides, where exactly would I go to escape the wind? :  Oh for pity's sake.....I love well-meaning induced panic. ;D Stay where you are, put up your feet, and stay out of the way of any emergency crews in your area. Or, if you're bored, check out your pantry and see if you've got enough non-perishable food stocked away since - depending where you live - it might be a bit before your local food market gets regular shipments again. Find a flashlight. And a set of extra batteries. Make sure you have enough water. Then, after that first 20 minutes (or longer depending on how many batteries you had to pull out of the kid's toys or various remote controls) settle down with a stack of books you've been meaning to read for a while if your job/school doesn't want you reporting in this week. Searching for flights probably not necessary unless you really need a vacay. |
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Post by HoppersSkippersMiners on Mar 12, 2011 8:09:10 GMT -5
Hoppers, I would love to take credit for this being my country (especially in times like this), but alas I'm an American who has just lived here for a long time. Long enough that I do feel pride in the preparation and response in this situation. I think the frequency of natural disasters here has contributed to the national character of being cautious and serious. At other times, of course, all this caution and seriousness drives me crazy (that's why I need Adam and Adamtopia), but today I'm very grateful for it. Aw four56....... {{{ HUGS }}}[grins] Do you need a GB picture now? |
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Post by nica575 on Mar 12, 2011 8:17:47 GMT -5
latest video coverage from CNN - "radiation MAY have leaked", no confirmation yet. www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/12/japan.nuclear/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1(CNN) -- An explosion at an earthquake-damaged nuclear plant was not caused by damage to the nuclear reactor but by a pumping system that failed as crews tried to bring the reactor's temperature down, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Saturday.
The next step for workers at the Fukushima Daiichi plant will be to flood the reactor containment structure with sea water to bring the reactor's temperature down to safe levels, he said. The effort is expected to take two days.
Radiation levels have fallen since the explosion and there is no immediate danger, Edano said. But authorities were nevertheless expanding the evacuation to include a radius of 20 kilometers (about 12.5 miles)... Praying for all affected and the victims of the aftermath... |
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Post by wal on Mar 12, 2011 8:17:49 GMT -5
four56, please stay safe, we are sending positive thoughts and energy your way. Uploaded by ClevverMusic on Mar 11, 2011 bit.ly/eBd8wT - Click to Subscribe to ClevverMusic!
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Post by HoppersSkippersMiners on Mar 12, 2011 8:18:03 GMT -5
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;D
Oh for pity's sake.....I love well-meaning induced panic. ;D
