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Re:Fukushima by pdeuchler on Tuesday September 22, 2015 @02:26PM (#10260565)
Except that excerpt is ridiculous, looking for an emotional hook where one doesn't exist. Humans were not responsible, a major earthquake and tsunami were responsible. Few structures of any kind would stand up to that.
Re:Fukushima by sosborn on Tuesday September 22, 2015 @03:16PM (#10260925)
> Humans were not responsible

Well, yes and no:

"TEPCO, that operated the station, had been warned their seawall was insufficient to withstand a powerful tsunami, but the seawall height was not raised in response." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_Daiichi_Nuclear_Powe...

I agree with your general sentiment, but I would say that humans are the biggest threat in nuclear power.

Re:Fukushima by elektromekatron on Tuesday September 22, 2015 @02:33PM (#10260615)
The structure stood up fine, we know how to build for that, it was the placement of the air fed diesel generators in a floodable basement that screwed Fukashima.
Re:Fukushima by pdeuchler on Tuesday September 22, 2015 @02:43PM (#10260692)
Structure was probably the wrong word, I meant more the plant as a whole. I think my point still remains... it would be a very rare structure that wouldn't have a design flaw exposed by such a large earthquake/tsunami one-two punch.
Re:Fukushima by elektromekatron on Tuesday September 22, 2015 @04:02PM (#10261278)
How about Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant, the closest nuclear plant to the epicenter, which remained almost undamaged after the 14 meter seawall kept out the tsunami.

edit - also, if you design for tsunami, the two-punch scenario is your design brief.