Short History Of... Fukushima Nuclear Disaster
Sep 24, 2023
The podcast discusses the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in 2011, the risks associated with nuclear power, the challenges faced at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, the heroic actions of plant manager Masao Yoshida, and the lasting impact of the Fukushima disaster.
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Plant Manager Sees Disaster Begin
- Masao Yoshida watched the quake unfold from his office as alarms and shaking filled the plant.
- He and staff realized the earthquake had triggered a countdown to the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.
Cooling Is The Core Safety Principle
- Nuclear fission sustains a chain reaction that produces heat to generate electricity.
- The key safety need is keeping nuclear fuel cool to prevent overheating and radioactive release.
Historical Hazards Underestimated Risk
- Japan sits on the Ring of Fire and faces high seismic and tsunami risk that must inform plant design.
- Engineers relied on historical hazard estimates that underestimated extreme events.