To see video about what has REALLY been happening with the reactors in Japan the past 3 months, go to the link below to see Arnie Gunderson speaking with John King on CNN last night about the Melt-DOWN situation that Arnie has been trying to let people know about. Let's hope John King has the courage to go forward and confirm the Melt-THROUGH with Arnie ASAP (I will attempt to find new posts from Arnie Gunderson and post them when I can):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXhNDgRkrd0&feature=player_embedded
A reader of my blog writes the following about the current Melt-Through status of 3 reactors in Fukushima, Japan:
"Meltdown in a nuclear plant has never happened on this scale. Think of it as a gigantic 'plug' of radiated earth and debris plunging downward into the earth from the site. Likely there will be other such 'plugs' (think in terms of a gigantic cork (hardened and destructive)or radioactive drill. I am using these basic metaphors to give a better description to the average reader of what is taking place. At one time, it was known as the "China Syndrome" theory of what might happen when a true n-plant implosion (not explosion) might happen. We do not know how far this 'boring' may go, but Japan will begin to see more and more sea water sprouting from 'holes' throughout the island. Japan is literally being 'drilled' through by this irradiated earth and debris. It is tragic and serious, not only for Japan but for all of the earth and the oceans. Chernoble pales in comparison". - G.S. (personal communication, 2011)
So, let's take a look at what this might mean. Because apparently, no news center in the United States is willing to:
CHINA SYNDROME
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The China Syndrome is a term invented to describe one possible result of a severe nuclear meltdown in which molten reactor core components penetrate their containment vessel and building. The term is misleading, since molten material from such an event could not melt through the crust of the Earth nor reach China from USA.
Nuclear power plants ordered during the late 1960s raised safety questions and created fears that a severe reactor accident could release large quantities of radioactive material into the environment. In the early 1970s, a controversy arose regarding the ability of emergency cooling systems to prevent a core meltdown. This issue was discussed in the popular media and technical journals.
In 1971, nuclear physicist Ralph Lapp used the term China syndrome to describe a possible burn-through, following a loss of coolant accident of the reactor containment structures and the subsequent escape of radioactive material into the environment. His statements were based on the report of a task force of nuclear physicists headed by W. K. Ergen, published in 1967.[4] The dangers of such a hypothetical accident were popularized by the 1979 film, The China Syndrome.
The name itself comes from the mistaken idea that, to many Americans, "the other side of the world" is China.
The term "China Syndrome" refers to a possible result of a catastrophic meltdown of a nuclear reactor. Also called a loss of coolant accident, the scenario begins when something causes the coolant level in a reactor vessel to drop, uncovering part—or all—of the fuel element assemblies. Even if the nuclear chain reaction has been stopped through use of control rods or other devices, the fuel continues to produce significant residual heat for a number of days due to further decay of fission products. If not properly cooled, the fuel assemblies may soften and melt, falling to the bottom of the reactor vessel. There, without neutron-absorbing control rods to prevent it, nuclear fission could resume but, in the absence of a neutron moderator, might not. Regardless, without adequate cooling, the temperature of the molten fuel could increase to the point where it melts through the structures containing it. Although many[who?] feel the radioactive slag would stop at or before the underlying soil, such a series of events could release radioactive material into the atmosphere and ground, potentially causing damage to the local environment's plant and animal life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Syndrome
LOCAL effects only? I don't think so. This is very, very grim. Those of you who may, like me, be absolutely dumbfounded that this is not being covered by our News outlets here in the United States, consider writing your local, state, and federal representatives, along with your preferred News Media outlets.
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