Are we looking at another Chernobyl incident or do you think they will contain everything before it gets to that point? Seems like every day the news is reporting on it getting worst and worst. Doesnt look good for that area of the country.

 

It depends on if they have the proper safety measures in place. Last time I did research on nuclear reactors was over 10 years ago. US reactors were much safer then Eastern reactors and had more safety mechanisims in place.



A nuclear reactor melts down if it heats to the point where it cannot be cooled. Usually it's fine as long as there is water. Also, they stop reacting if you stop bombarding them with electrons. Basically, if they have not upgraded for 10 years, and they are continuing to operate it, then sure, it could melt down and I'll laugh because it takes stupidity to melt down a reactor these days... otherwise, it's just business as usual for those guys. Having to pay for nuclear waste removal from a breached container is part of the cost of owning a nuclear reactor. They will be fine.

 

Last I read several of the reactors were assumed to be melting down. That doesn't mean it is at risk of breaching containment, but at least one reactor apparently has had damage to it's containment structures.



It won't be like another Chernobyl though, these reactors have better safety features.

 

lol apparently the water missed the target. it's hard to tell at this point. what's frightening is nobody has any control or plan if something happens.

 

Chernobyl? No. Three Mile Island? At least.

Chernobyl was a near-operating state explosion. Radioactive material and junk everywhere. TMI was a meltdown, but with no fatalities or extensive damage.

I see the one in Japan being somewhere in the middle. The core has started melting down, and due to the relatively limited support network that's available, it's hard for them to contain and fix the problem.