Massive Quake Hits NE Japan

[Koyaanisqatsi]

The emergency coolant system shuts down first? Um, ok.

[Docfeelgood]

Japan Declares Nuclear Emergency, As Cooling System Fails At Power Plant Kyodo News Agency

Kyodo News Agency says 2,000 residents near Fukushima nuclear plant urged to evacuate.

I hear on the news that a nuclear Emergency has been declared in Japan because of a reactor without coolant.
What does that mean? , if no radioactive materiel is leaking sounds like good news to me.

[Guynemer]

How bad a person am I that, when hearing of a potential nuclear emergency in Japan, that my first thought was "I wonder if this will lead to a bump in the sales of Galnemer's latest book, which deals with the aftermath of Chernobyl?"

For the record, my second thought was: "I wonder if we'll see Godzilla and/or Gamera rise from the glowing afterscape."

[germanos]

Worst case scenario: meltdown.

From what I hear on the news the reactor had already shut down before coolant levels started dropping, so perhaps the risks are small. Don't know how hot the reactor is though or if the coolant is still a critical factor.

Small risk perhaps, potential consequences high. IAEA has been notified and appear worried.

[Docfeelgood]

Japan government official says technicians are currently unable to pump water to cool the reactor at a nuclear power plant in the country.

Is this bad news?
WTF? does this mean?

[Docfeelgood]

Meltdown is a term that describes the melting of a nuclear-reactor core as a result of a nuclear accident

Not bad? right?

[Docfeelgood]

A nuclear meltdown is an informal term for a severe nuclear reactor accident that results in core damage from overheating.

Oh, sounds expensive! bet someone got fired.

[germanos]

Yes, bad. Coolant is needed to cool the reactor. If left unchecked, it will heat up and the reactor core can melt, melt through the foundation, sink down, reach groundwater = steam = big bang = nucleides into the atmosphere. (never mind the contamination of the groundwater).

[Docfeelgood]

Yes, bad. Coolant is needed to cool the reactor. If left unchecked, it will heat up and the reactor core can melt, melt through the foundation, sink down, reach groundwater = steam = big bang = nucleides into the atmosphere. (never mind the contamination of the groundwater).

I was wondering why they would tell thousands of people to run.

[Docfeelgood]

Jees, what are the odds of getting a third atomic explosion? creepy!

[Docfeelgood]

Wow!!!

[germanos]

It's been reported here that the US expects a 2m (6ft ) tsunami on the pacific coast and evacuations are in progress. Oerdin!!! Run!

[Docfeelgood]

I'm watching tsunami waves hitting Hawaii live now.

[Docfeelgood]

Looks like it is not that bad.

[Docfeelgood]

oops, one part of Hawaii got a 8ft wave.

they are not sure how big the second wave will be. They say it may be bigger than the first wave.