A dangerous earthquake of 8.8 magnitude has struck russia this morning, after which agencies of japan and America have issued a tsunami alert. Along with russia, a tsunami warning has also been issued on the coast of california in America. It has been said that three feet high waves can rise in the sea, which can cause devastation in many areas. tsunami has been recorded at 16 places in japan, during which 40 cm high waves have been seen. Officials have urged to be cautious and have said that bigger waves can also come later.
Japanese nuclear plant evacuated
Japan's disaster management agency says that so far there has been no news of anyone being injured or damaged, but after the tsunami warning, work at the Japanese nuclear plant Fukushima nuclear plant on the Pacific coast has been stopped and employees have been evacuated from there, but no abnormality has been reported so far. But why does it happen that in japan the nuclear power plant is shut down as soon as strong waves rise in the sea? Let's find out.
Why is the nuclear power plant shut down?
In japan, the main purpose of shutting down nuclear plants during a natural disaster like earthquake or tsunami is its safety. A Fukushima disaster in 2011 showed how tsunamis can destroy nuclear power plants, leading to radioactive leakage and environmental pollution. The 2011 tsunami badly damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants. Due to this, the fuel of the reactors melted and radioactive material started leaking.
The 2011 tsunami caused devastation in the nuclear plant
Actually, japan is located on the Ring of Fire, which is a very sensitive area for earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis. The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster showed this danger. Due to the tsunami there, the cooling system of the nuclear plant, that is, the system that keeps it cool, stopped working, which led to hydrogen explosions and leakage of radioactive material. This is why japan thinks seriously about its nuclear power plants.
What is Fukushima Nuclear Plant?
After this incident, nuclear power plants are shut down in japan after an earthquake or tsunami warning is issued, so that radioactive leakage can be prevented in any way. The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is located in Fukushima Prefecture and was commissioned in 1971. It is a nuclear power plant operated by the tokyo Electric Power Company. Before the tsunami in 2011, it had six nuclear reactors, but now only one remains.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel