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Too many nuclear plants located in tsunami risk zones, say researchers
Japan, China and South Korea have all constructed nuclear power plants in locations that lend themselves to tsunami destruction.
Mon, Sep 24 2012 at 9:29 AM
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This GeoEye satellite image shows the nuclear reactors (labeled) at the Fukushima Daiichi plant after the earthquake and tsunami hit northeastern Japan. (Photo: GeoEye)
In March 2011, a devastating earthquake and tsunami set off a partial meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant on Japan's coast. A recent study led by European researchers found Fukushima is not alone, as 22 other plants around the world may be similarly susceptible to destructive tsunami waves, with most of them in east and southeast regions of Asia.
The 23 facilities on the list (including Fukushima) house a total of 74 nuclear reactors. Thirteen of the plants are active, while the others are either nearing completion or being expanded to house more reactors. The researchers say East and Southeast Asia are at the greatest risk of a nuclear crisis triggered by a tsunami because of the rise of atomic power stations in the region, especially in China, which houses 27 of the world's 64 nuclear reactors currently under construction.
"The most important fact is that 19 (two of which are in Taiwan) out of the 27 reactors are being built in areas identified as dangerous," state the authors of the study.
Meanwhile, in Japan, seven plants — one of which is currently under construction — are located in zones at risk of a tsunami, and South Korea is now expanding two plants in risk zones, the researchers said.
The study, which appears in a recent issue of the journal Natural Hazards, urges energy officials in these countries to consider how they would deal with the potentially far-reaching consequences of a catastrophe.
"The location of nuclear installations does not only have implications for their host countries but also for the areas which could be affected by radioactive leaks," study researcher Joaquín Rodríguez-Vidal, of the University of Huelva, told SINC, a Spanish news agency.
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This story was originally written for LiveScience and was reprinted with permission here. Copyright 2012 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved.
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Yes it stabilys it self, when do we got it, The major 10.5 on the Richter
23-FEB-2013 20:58:27 -8.57 127.41 5.2 44 TIMOR REGION, INDONESIA
Did somebody feel something; 06-FEB-2013 01:12:23 -10.75 165.09 8.0 6 SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS
It was warn in 3 month ago.. But do somebody listen. NOOOOO, No and No, again and agian,,,!¨The SnakeQuake are here to stay !
Take care My good people ??
What Do You do when the Poles changes places and the Acses differensy moves apart ????????????????????????????+
I will also say this, I have send My warning and ask the Government in Indonesia if they will have build up the Tsunamies Killer, I hope they will do it Now this time ahead before the South area turn in, so we must wait and see if they take Notice of mY warning this time and do the Issue and prevent the 2004 and 2005 on again, we must see ??
Do You remember 1883 Krakatoa Vulcan, Tambora, Søndag 26.August 1883, Time 15.00 ??
Do You remember Sumatera 2004 09.00 Christmas 26.12-2004 ?
And do You remember 2005,second Eastern,1308 kill by the last Tsunamies in the Icland ??
Do You remember 2006 and Vulcano 2010.??
Do we remember, Take notoise, or is it that we Just want to forget it all, Intill it HIIITT AGAIN My friends ??