This just in: Fukushima-Daiichi has experienced a blast that blew the roof off the Number 3 nuclear power station. This is the second blast in Japan after the earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated the area.
While Japanese authorities say the risk of deadly exposure is low, they ordered all people within a 12-mile radius to evacuate the area. This is the same reactor that had been under close watch as the threat of an explosion grew due to growing pressure inside.
A radioactive plume was released into the air and nearby U.S. navy ships had to be moved to avoid being downwind of it. In total, more than 180,000 people have been displaced as a result of problems with reactors.
Four of the power stations have been experiencing problems since the quake, and Fukushima was the one with the biggest issues.
Although scientists, diplomats and even the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission are assuring the world that the threat of radiation drifting into the United States is very small one has to wonder just how imminent the threat is. Just how real is the threat of a full-blown nuclear blast? What would happen if more than one reactor blows?
And one must wonder why a nation prone to earthquakes relies on 55 nuclear reactors in order to provide power for its country. Regardless of the fact that these are some of the strongest reactors made, they do grow old and weaken over time. Some of Japan's reactors are over 40 years old.
Image: http://www.nucleartourist.com/
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