Japan Nuclear reactor meltdown

                    
                                   Satellite Image of Fukushima on 17-Mar-2011
         
         The 8.9 magnitude earth quake had inflict some serious disasters to Japan. One of the serious problems that the Japanese government is facing right now is the nuclear reactors meltdown issue in Fukushima 1. One of the reactors in Fukushima is already starting to overheat, therefore there is a good chance that a meltdown could possibly happen. Fukushima 1 (There are two plants in that location) is one of the largest nuclear power plants in the world. There is a huge amount of radioactive material in the plant, so if there is a meltdown occurring, it would not only affect Japan but also other parts of the world as well. There is report indicating that the west coast of US will also be affected, due to the prevailing winds are blowing from Japan and across the pacific ocean to the west coast of America. Any radioactive fallout will make its way to the US with the wind, reaching there around 36 hours.

This picture talks about which direction the jet stream is heading

Even though the nuclear power plant has stop producing energy, It's fuel continues to generate heat and need a stable amount of coolant to stop it fron over heating. As days pass by the situation has not gone any better, a second nuclear reactor in the site has also been affected and only have a few hours of battery left before the cooling system lose it's function. Three nuclear reactors in Fukushima II has also lost it's cooling  abilities, temperatures are increasing in a dangerous level. Later on, there is a explosion happened in the no.1 reactor in Fukushima I, some parts of the outer structure of the plant appeared to be blow off. 

At this rate, Volatile radioactive Cesium -137 content could be release in the air. Cesium -137 is produced from when uranium and plutonium absorb neutrons and undergo fission. It increases the chances of getting cancer. if under serious exposure, serious burns or even death will occur. One might wonder if Japan often have earthquakes occur, why didn't the government upgrade the cooling system of the reactors to prevent meltdowns if there is any chance that the nuclear reactors got damaged from nature disasters ? However, when one think about it the nuclear reactors in Japan are quite well built, because it can actually withstand up to 8.7 magnitude earthquake. Unfortunately, this earthquake's power is more powerful than 8.7.


For more info: http://modernsurvivalblog.com/nuclear/west-coast-usa-danger-if-japan-nuclear-reactor-meltdown/