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.
[ Parent
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> 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.
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.