Status of the Nuclear Reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant

Although reports are coming in that power may very soon be restored to the cooling systems at the plant, thereby averting total meltdown, the situation is still precarious. Below is the most up to date information on the status of the reactors:

Reactor 1 - Current Status:

The outer building is damaged and it is presumed that there was a partial meltdown; fuel rods reportedly 70% damaged. Small amounts of radioactivity have been vented. On March 12, 3:36 PM an explosion blows the roof and top walls off the reactor building. The reactor containment vessel is not significantly damaged.

Reactor 2 - Current Status:

A partial meltdown is presumed to have occurred; fuel rods reportedly 33% damaged. The containment vessel has been breached and some radioactivity has vented. On March 15, 6:14 AM an explosion near the pressure suppression pool damages the containment vessel around the reactor.

Reactor 3 - Current Status:

The reactor building has been damaged, the containment vessel may have ruptured and radioactive steam may be being released. On March 17, 11:00 AM helicopters began dumping water on the building in an effort to cover the spent fuel, which may have been exposed to the air. On March 14, 11:01 AM an explosion damaged the reactor building and the primary containment vessel. Eleven workers were injured.

Reactor 4 - Current Status:

Spent fuel rods in a water pool may have become exposed to air, emitting radioactive gases. An explosion and fire have damaged the building. On March 17, 5:00 AM the chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the water covering the spent fuel rods may have boiled off. Japanese authorities have denied this. March 15, 6:00 AM a hydrogen-gas explosion created by chemical reactions with the spent fuel rods damages the building. A fire also breaks out.

Reactor 5 - Current Status:

The reactor is shut down and the building is not damaged. But there is concern that spent fuel in the building may become exposed to air.

Reactor 6 - Current Status:

The reactor is shut down and the building is not damaged. But there is concern that spent fuel in the building may become exposed to air.

[ h/t New York Times and all the great reporting on Twitter, the BBC and Al Jazeera ]

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