Other
- +18
James M. Acton, Saskia Brechenmacher, Cecily Brewer, …
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Source: Getty
In The Media
Is a Meltdown Possible at Japan's Nuclear Plant?
Japanese engineers are attempting to find ways to cool the nuclear reactor core at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi reactors, in order to prevent a nuclear meltdown.
Published on Mar 11, 2011
Source: MSNBC
When a nuclear power plant shuts down, it still continues to produce heat. Coolants and back-up power supplies come into play to gradually cool down the reactor core. However, in Japan, the external power supply and the back-up diesel generator have failed, said Carnegie’s James Acton in an interview with MSNBC. Examining the range of possibilities that could ensue at Japan’s Fukushima reactors, Acton explained that as the core is not being properly cooled, steam is building up in the reactor containment vessel. Japanese engineers have vented some of the fuel, after evacuating a two mile radius around the plants.
The crucial question that remains is whether the fuel in the core will melt the surrounding metal. If such a meltdown were to occur, it could proceed in a few hours or over the course of multiple days. Acton emphasized that a meltdown is not necessarily imminent; a wide range of potential outcomes exists, from the release of limited radioactive steam to extensive radiation leakage.
About the Author
James M. Acton
Jessica T. Mathews Chair, Co-director, Nuclear Policy Program
Acton holds the Jessica T. Mathews Chair and is co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
- Unpacking Trump’s National Security Strategy
- Trump Has an Out on Nuclear Testing. He Should Take It.Commentary
James M. Acton
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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