The report is conflicting

http://live.reuters.com/Event/Japan_earthquake2

Japan Nuclear Safety Agency: has heard explosion was not at reactor
by Reuters_TonyTharakan at 3/12/2011 7:57:29 AM11:57 PM yesterday

Several people appear to be injured at Fukushima nuclear plant - NHK
by Reuters_TonyTharakan at 3/12/2011 8:03:25 AM12:03 AM

Outer structure of building that houses reactor at Fukushima plant appears to have blown off - NHK



Looks like JNSA was off and it was the reactor.....

Apparently it was to vent excess pressure.

The "smoke" may have just been the venting

I'm watching NHK right now, and they're showing two photos that show how the cover was blown off of one of the reactor buildings. No idea how/why, but there was definitely some sort of explosion in the reactor building that blew the walls off.

The news report I watched said that if the Fukushima nuclear plant went into a meltdown, it could potentially wipe out most of Japan. Doubt it'll get very serious though, seems like they're getting it under control, the US is sending over some coolant etc.

rich_f Wrote:I'm watching NHK right now, and they're showing two photos that show how the cover was blown off of one of the reactor buildings. No idea how/why, but there was definitely some sort of explosion in the reactor building that blew the walls off.

I'm watching that, too, and thought I was imagining things when I was comparing the two photos. Craaaaaap.

Yeah, seems that way, 'ばくはつ' is one word I do know. I hope things are Ok, it's so unclear at the moment.

Yes, they're saying that the 外壁 was blown off, revealing the 骨組み. And there are many injured workers.

Tepco says explosion may have been hydrogen used to cool Fukushima plant - Kyodo; Tepco says 4 people taken to hospital after reported explosion, no word on condition -

Oh no, that sounds terrible. Please, let them be able to get things under control.

So now they're saying to stay inside, shut off your AC, close your windows, and put on a mask if you have one. If you live in the area, that is.

Yikes.

Here's the photo NHK is showing with before and after photos. Can you spot the missing building?

http://i.min.us/immXK6.jpg

rich_f Wrote:So now they're saying to stay inside, shut off your AC, close your windows, and put on a mask if you have one. If you live in the area, that is.

Yikes.

Heck ... if radioactivity escapes it could hit Tokyo ... according to weather report there is a south east stream ... I really hope for the best for all of you who are in Japan.

Here's another one with the building (or what's left of it) encircled.

http://i.min.us/imrsqO.jpg

Nagareboshi Wrote:

rich_f Wrote:So now they're saying to stay inside, shut off your AC, close your windows, and put on a mask if you have one. If you live in the area, that is.

Yikes.

Heck ... if radioactivity escapes it could hit Tokyo ... according to weather report there is a south east stream ... I really hope for the best for all of you who are in Japan.

That will carry it away from Japan if it is South East.

I have a bad feeling about this. If the explosion was from Hydrogen that might mean some of the coolant is gone and then are in a bad situation now I would think.

vix86 Wrote:

Nagareboshi Wrote:

rich_f Wrote:So now they're saying to stay inside, shut off your AC, close your windows, and put on a mask if you have one. If you live in the area, that is.

Yikes.

Heck ... if radioactivity escapes it could hit Tokyo ... according to weather report there is a south east stream ... I really hope for the best for all of you who are in Japan.

That will carry it away from Japan if it is South East.

I have a bad feeling about this. If the explosion was from Hydrogen that might mean some of the coolant is gone and then are in a bad situation now I would think.

Or was it north east ... radioactive rays measured 1015 µS this - if exposed - this is the same amount as 1 year constant radiation in 1 hour. This is bad ... very bad ...

Edit: Link removed due to unconfirmed sources ... inappropriate in this situation ...

.

oh shit

rich_f Wrote:So now they're saying to stay inside, shut off your AC, close your windows, and put on a mask if you have one. If you live in the area, that is.

Yikes.

Oh my. This is sounding potentially very bad. みんなさん、 stay safe.

Okay, those of you showing the map, where are you getting this map? And please be responsible with information or non-information.

I think it is too early to pass judgements on if there will be a meltdown. It sounds like the USA will do anything in its power to stop that from happening as well as the Japanese government, and it will take some hours even without cooling for a meltdown to occur, which is time to react.

a live announcement from 官房長官 (chief cabinet secretary) is underway now on NHK TV, they had some green-colored speaking points (looks friendly?). I can't understand most of what he's saying though, only random words here and there.

From what I have been reading, the likelihood of a meltdown is small, but the next 24 hours are critical.

He's mostly saying to stay calm.

He's saying nothing much.

Did he say what caused the explosion?

bodhisamaya Wrote:From what I have been reading, the likelihood of a meltdown is small, but the next 24 hours are critical.

The outerwall of your melting down reactor blowing off and leaving only the scafolding, sounds pretty serious. I expect them to downplay the seriousness of the situation to the last moment to keep people from going bat shit crazy and congesting the highways (if they haven't already).