Information on the Japan Earthquake and Reactors in That Region
The thoughts and prayers of the staff of the Nuclear Energy Institute are with our friends in Japan who have lost loved ones, homes and businesses during the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. We send our heartfelt sympathy and concern.
UPDATE AS OF 1:00 P.M. EDT, THURSDAY, APRIL 7:
Tokyo Electric Power Co. continued to inject cooling water into reactors 1, 2 and 3 at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, despite a 7.1 magnitude aftershock that hit 70 miles north of the plant.
The temblor, the largest aftershock since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake on March 11, hit at 11:32 pm JST today off the northeast coast. The Japanese government issued a tsunami warning after the earthquake, but lifted it about 90 minutes later.
Three nuclear power plants-Fukushima Daini, Fukushima Daiichi and Onagawa-were shaken, but officials reported no new damage and no injuries to employees. Two of the three electric power lines that supply the Onagawa plant were offline, but normal operations continued with the remaining power line to maintain reactor cooling systems. The plant had been safely shut down since March 11.
Fukushima Daiichi
Seawater radiation levels, while still significantly higher than government safety limits, have decreased near the power plant since TEPCO blocked a leak of highly radioactive water into the ocean. TEPCO said it is too early to credit stopping the leak with the decline.
Workers continued to inject nitrogen gas into the containment vessel of reactor 1, a process that began Wednesday. Inert nitrogen gas is used in reactor containment vessels to stabilize the atmosphere. The nitrogen injection is to prevent possible ignition of the hydrogen that is believed to be accumulating inside the reactor 1 containment. It is expected to take six days to complete the process. Spraying water onto the used fuel storage pools at reactors 1-4 was interrupted briefly because of the earthquake.
TEPCO continued its controlled discharge of low-level radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean to make room in storage tanks for more highly contaminated water on the site. The highly radioactive water in turbine building basements is hampering efforts to restore cooling systems, particularly for reactor 2, where the radiation is highest. Before the highly radioactive water is pumped into the wastewater storage tank, the facility must be inspected for damage, the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum reported. Inspection could take up to a week.
The Japanese government is evaluating possible evacuation of some residents from areas within 12.5 to 18.5 miles of the Fukushima Daiichi site. Residents in the 12.5-mile zone were evacuated early in the emergency. Those within the outer area have been advised to stay indoors. The additional evacuation would be from areas where radiation has accumulated since March 11.
UPDATE AS OF 11:30 A.M. EDT, THURSDAY, APRIL 7:A 7.1 magnitude aftershock in northeastern Japan today caused no damage to nuclear power plants in the area, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency reported. Plant employees at the Fukushima Daiichi, Fukushima Daini and Onagawa plants were evacuated for safety after the temblor, which struck at 11:32 pm JST.
Two of the three electric power lines that supply the Onagawa site were down, officials said, but operations at the plant's three reactors were continuing as normal with power from the remaining line. There was no change in radiation levels near the plant.
The reactors at the three sites had been shut down since the magnitude 9.0 earthquake on March 11.
There were no damages reported at the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini plants. At Daiichi, where engineers have been working to cool reactors since the March 11 earthquake, fresh water injection continued.
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**NOTE: Refresh your Web browser periodically to ensure you receive the latest updates appearing on this page.**UPDATE AS OF 1:00 P.M. EDT, THURSDAY, APRIL 7:
Tokyo Electric Power Co. continued to inject cooling water into reactors 1, 2 and 3 at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, despite a 7.1 magnitude aftershock that hit 70 miles north of the plant.
The temblor, the largest aftershock since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake on March 11, hit at 11:32 pm JST today off the northeast coast. The Japanese government issued a tsunami warning after the earthquake, but lifted it about 90 minutes later.
Three nuclear power plants-Fukushima Daini, Fukushima Daiichi and Onagawa-were shaken, but officials reported no new damage and no injuries to employees. Two of the three electric power lines that supply the Onagawa plant were offline, but normal operations continued with the remaining power line to maintain reactor cooling systems. The plant had been safely shut down since March 11.
Fukushima Daiichi
Seawater radiation levels, while still significantly higher than government safety limits, have decreased near the power plant since TEPCO blocked a leak of highly radioactive water into the ocean. TEPCO said it is too early to credit stopping the leak with the decline.
Workers continued to inject nitrogen gas into the containment vessel of reactor 1, a process that began Wednesday. Inert nitrogen gas is used in reactor containment vessels to stabilize the atmosphere. The nitrogen injection is to prevent possible ignition of the hydrogen that is believed to be accumulating inside the reactor 1 containment. It is expected to take six days to complete the process. Spraying water onto the used fuel storage pools at reactors 1-4 was interrupted briefly because of the earthquake.
TEPCO continued its controlled discharge of low-level radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean to make room in storage tanks for more highly contaminated water on the site. The highly radioactive water in turbine building basements is hampering efforts to restore cooling systems, particularly for reactor 2, where the radiation is highest. Before the highly radioactive water is pumped into the wastewater storage tank, the facility must be inspected for damage, the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum reported. Inspection could take up to a week.
The Japanese government is evaluating possible evacuation of some residents from areas within 12.5 to 18.5 miles of the Fukushima Daiichi site. Residents in the 12.5-mile zone were evacuated early in the emergency. Those within the outer area have been advised to stay indoors. The additional evacuation would be from areas where radiation has accumulated since March 11.
UPDATE AS OF 11:30 A.M. EDT, THURSDAY, APRIL 7:A 7.1 magnitude aftershock in northeastern Japan today caused no damage to nuclear power plants in the area, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency reported. Plant employees at the Fukushima Daiichi, Fukushima Daini and Onagawa plants were evacuated for safety after the temblor, which struck at 11:32 pm JST.
Two of the three electric power lines that supply the Onagawa site were down, officials said, but operations at the plant's three reactors were continuing as normal with power from the remaining line. There was no change in radiation levels near the plant.
The reactors at the three sites had been shut down since the magnitude 9.0 earthquake on March 11.
There were no damages reported at the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini plants. At Daiichi, where engineers have been working to cool reactors since the March 11 earthquake, fresh water injection continued.
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Resources by Topic
The following Web pages provide links to fact sheets, documents, graphics and other materials on the events in Japan. These pages are being updated frequently.Nuclear Energy Industry Actions to Ensure Continued Safe Operations
This Web page describes the U.S. nuclear energy industry's assessment of the events in Japan and its steps to ensure that U.S. reactors could respond to events that may challenge safe operation of the facilities.
Nuclear Energy Situation in Japan
This Web page includes frequently asked questions about the situation with Japan's nuclear energy plants, a time line of events, graphics of the nuclear power reactors and other general statistics on Japan's nuclear energy program.
Radiation and Japan's Nuclear Energy Plants
This Web page provides background information on radiation, including its different sources, how it is measured, and the ways federal authorities protect the public and workers from radiation exposure.
Nuclear Reactors: Designed to Withstand Natural Disasters
This Web page describes how nuclear plants are designed and constructed to withstand natural disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, and other natural or man-made events. It also provides information on emergency preparedness at the nation's nuclear plants.
NEI Backgrounders: Fact Sheets and Policy Briefs
This Web page includes fact sheets and policy briefs on environmental protection, safety and security, and nuclear waste and used nuclear fuel management.
News
Below are select news articles on the Japan nuclear situation and U.S. industry efforts to ensure nuclear plant safety. See NEI's Twitter feed @neiupdates and blog for updated information on Japan's nuclear plant situation.Wednesday, April 6
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, AFL-CIO: U.S. Nuclear Plants on Track for Continued Safety and Frequently Asked Questions on Nuclear Power Safety in the U.S.
- William Levis. PSEG Power's president and chief operating officer: Testimony for the Record before U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation
- House Energy and Commerce Committee Press Release: Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee to Examine America's Response to the Japanese Nuclear Power Plant Incident (April 4)
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