Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Fukushima Quite Steamy - Did Recent Earthquake Play a Role?


There was a small earthquake relatively close to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant:

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/20180529104845395-29194535.html

The 3.7 earthquake occurred at 19:48 May 29 2018 at a depth of 30 kilometers.

Could this earthquake explain the heavy emissions from Daiichi today?

Emissions are quite visible although precipitation is absent (40%). Humidity is relatively high at 85% but that is pretty normal for Fukushima since its located on the ocean.


 

In the past I've noticed that emissions typically pick up in the wake of earthquakes in the vicinity.

If there is a relationship, it would suggest that the crust on still-hot, melted reactor fuel may be disrupted by earthquakes, leading to more visible steam activity as hot fuel encounters water.

I'm just speculating, of course, but I do wonder....