Potential Threats of Nuclear Disasters

Nuclear power has been a great scientific breakthrough that has changed our world, for better and worse. That is to say that there are benefits of nuclear energy plants, but do those benefits outweigh the risks? In a typical case I would say yes, the benefits outweigh the risks. But when we use poor planning and/or lack of research for a given site when deciding where to build these wonderful, but potential life threatening structures, it becomes problematic. A recent study published in the Natural Hazards journal was conducted to assess potentially hazardous areas that will, or already do have nuclear power plants established. The study found that 23 nuclear power plants with 74 reactors have been identified in high risk areas of tsunamis. It's bad enough to have potential tsunami threats, but when these tsunamis are in range to do damage to nuclear reactors this severely raises the hazard level. As an example we can look at the tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011.Japan is one of the most technologically advanced states in the world along with having solid infrastructure. Even with these two qualities japan was still devastated. Imagine now that this tsunami had struck a far less developed country (in terms of infrastructure) with just as many, if not more people living there who also have nuclear energy. The death toll would be far greater than what happened in Japan. The tsunami itself caused billions of dollars in damage but add to that the aftermath of a nuclear reactor meltdown, adding harmful radiation into the water and air, and you got yourself a much larger disaster.
 
There are 64 nuclear power plants currently being constructed worldwide. Of those 64, 27 are found in China, and 19 of those 27, According to this study, are in a “dangerous” area. China has a very large population with heavy concentrations along the coast. Solid infrastructure will help in mitigating the physical damage done by a tsunami, but a nuclear reactor meltdown could potentially do far more damage than a tsunami.

There’s nothing we can do to prevent tsunamis, but what we are in control of is where we decide to build potentially hazardous energy facilities.

 

Picture from: http://totallycoolpix.com/2011/03/japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-nuclear-disaster-looms-large/


http://lesjoyeusesboucanieres.net/tag/fukushima-nuclear-disaster/

 

News Article found at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120921083202.htm