Official report as of 3/15 on all reactors

From the recent reports it seems like praying for a miracle isn't out of the question.

This is heading towards being a lot worse than Chernobyl, although the fall out looks to be more over the ocean if they're lucky.

Even after a meltdown and they encase the place in concrete, I read they have to wait 3 YEARS before they can remove the radioactive material.

-spence

if i lived in alaska or washington, id be moving east...

My brother in law is retired Navy who now works as a civilian contractor for the Navy in Yokosuka. His descriptions of the quake and the aftermath are chilling.

We've been getting daily emails on the situation. US personel @ the base have been told to stay indoors, seal openings, etc. since they have detected lower radiation levels @ the base. Everyone is hunkered down "waiting".

The carrier Regan is serving as a main base of operations for air assistance while many smaller ships are assisting in the grim task of recovery of bodies swept offshore. Because of elevated radiation levels ships are deploying out of the path of the prevailing winds.

For those critical of "our" government response be assured that all available means of assistance are currently being provided and efforts are being ramped up as quickly as is logistically possible. Nobody is asleep at the switch on this.

"what truly magnificent people, no rioting, no chaos, no political blame game"

He ended his last email on this note and emphasized the point by telling my wife "the people of Japan" are the reason he chose to live in Japan.

:btu:

Same status report from 2days ago.

Nightly News is now using the term "apocalyptic" catastrophe in the making....there are 50 heroes consigned to sacrificing their own lives to try and save the (4) plants.

Just read that they used Plutonium as part of the fuel when reactor 3 was built.

That's the first really dumb thing I have heard coming out of there. All the rest is a reaction to a rare huge natural catastrophy. The concious choice years ago to use Plutonium as part of the fuel mix is liable to be one of the worst science/engineering decisions of modern times.

Time to say some prayers for some badly needed good luck.

I saw that they were using helicopters to dump water on the plants. Getting it from the ocean, that is mighty close. I couldnt help but think that it would be a good idea to use some pumps and hoses. Keeping a steady supply of water going if needed.

No electricity, batteries or gas/diesel to run pumps that is the whole reason behind the melt down!

The heli's only did one or 2 drops: rad exposure too high for the crew.

I got to wonder the effects this is going to have on the world economy.
Haven't bought a sheet of plywood or any other lumber as one example in a long time.
I would guess lots of those types of things are going to see a big spike in price here.
Another example, getting Toyota & Subaru parts may be a problem.

Have you seen this??

Dog in Japan stays by the side of its ailing friend in the rubble - Yahoo! News

Saw that one on the news last night, more than can be said about some people. No I am not referring to the Japanese, people around the world should be looking at the proud way in which that island's people are conducting themselves in light of the tragedy all around them.

PAnd eople around here beat the crap out of somebody to get a good price on a laptop at X-Mas time......

A vivid glimps at what is probably happening to people all over the area not just pets.

Dogs are great. You got to love them. Smart enough to know help and protection is needed and willing to stay there with its disabled buddy despite its obvious need for potable water (notice it looking at the big water area and the little puddles etc as it approached the reporters and then returned to stand guard. Probably nothing but dirty and salt water everywhere.) Glad to hear they got rescued.

WTF
This Japan earthquake/tsunami thing knocked Charlie Sheen off the lead story !

Japanese Coast guard video of wave

YouTube - Japan tsunami at sea

Ouch