^^ they've canceled the tsunami warning according to NHK.

3/13/2011 11:40:17 PM

a volcano is erupting in southwestern japan

http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/article965229.ece/Japanese-volcano-erupts


it doesn't sound extremely destructive but can't japan catch a break? i mean, its about the size of california, right? thats a lot of shit to be happening at once

[Edited on March 13, 2011 at 11:53 PM. Reason : link dink]

3/13/2011 11:52:47 PM

Hiroshima was a warning shot?

3/13/2011 11:56:49 PM

I think after the earthquake, tsunami, and volcano eruption I'd be straight gettin' up out of there until the heat cools down.

3/13/2011 11:59:39 PM

Updates on the power plant issues

1— Hydrogen buildup in the containment building around reactor 3 is beleived to have led to the explosion that has ruptured the concrete structure. This is similar to what happened with reactor 1 earlier.

2. Reator 3 is not beleived to have suffered structural damage in the blast. These explosions - while dramatic - are unlikely to have compromised the feet-thick steel pressure vessel protecting the core.

3. Some melting is believed to have happened in one of the cores. While the word "meltdown" is used to describe this, it is not currently beleived to be in an uncontrollable state. That is partial melting of the core has occurred but it is not beleived to have reached a point where it will prevent cooling.

4. Reactor 1 has been described as stabilized - they will continue to cool it until the situation at the plant is completely brought under control. The reactor will not ever be used again - after this is over the technical challenge will be formulating long-term storage/disposal plans for the damaged reactors.

5. Reactor 1 is currently being cooled by pumping in seawater with high concentrations of broric acid - boron iabsorbs neutrons very effectively and helps to keep the core sub-critical and reduce fission.

6. Reactor 2 had been stated to have lower than normal water level in the pressure vessel - but is said to be stable. The water has not come low enough to be at risk of uncovering the core - meaning it is still being effectively cooled at this point.

7. Reactor 3 had been being cooled by injection of sea water and boric acid. The power company and japanese government spokesperson acknowledged several hours ago that they were concerned that there would be a hydrogen explosion as with reactor 1 but explained it should not damage the core. They stated that high pressure coolant injection had been interupted but that sea water+boron cooling had been under way.

8. One or more plant workers has been injured in the explosion at reactor 3. Their condition has not been reported.

I would like to point out that the workers at this plant expected the containment building at reactor 3 would probably suffer the same sort of explosion as it did at reactor 1. Despite this they have been working tirelessly trying to bring the situation under control with the knowledge the building next to them could collapse at any second - hence this worker was injurred while working to cool the reactor.

I know some people do not like nuclear power and TEPCO in particular has a less than stellar reputation. Whatever you think of the nuclear industry and nuclear power, please don't think poorly of the engineers and workers at these plants

About Radiation Levels

160 people have been examined for exposure to radiation. While this sounds scary and they are handing out iodine pills, the measurements of radiation levels suggest it is unlikely any member of the general public will have been exposed to high enough levels to pose a long term or short term health risk.

Measurements of radiation at the site are stated to be 50 micro-sieverts per hour. To give you a sense of scale so you can gauge how large or small this is, the average yearly dose rate for natural background radiation is 2.4 millii-sieverts per year (2400 microsieverts per year.) So while that's higher than the average natural background (just under 200 times greater) it is not as high as even that might sound at first. For example, a CT scan will expose you to up to 20 mSv (or 20,000 microsieverts) over the course of a full body scan as a high estimate. In terms of exposure then, the intensity of radiation at the site is currently about 1/400th as intense as the high end estimate for a CT scan.

Also this is roughly equal to the natural background radiation in the city of Ramsar, Iran. Sutdies have shown that residents of Ramsar do not have higher incidence of cancer than normal. As of now then it would be reasonable to say the radiation levels do not pose a health risk and are not outside the ranges that have been shown in case studies to be non-harmful.

Evacuation is still wise however given that the situation at the reactors is still developing.

EDIT - UPDATE: Radiation levels at the plant have dropped to 20 microsieverts per hour. This is well below levels that should cause concern. While above average background radiation and above normal for the site, it is below natural background radiation levels experienced in a number of population centers around the world. Unlike the plant - those natural levels are exposure rates people experience from birth to death and case studies have shown they do so without increased incidence of cancer.

[Edited on March 14, 2011 at 12:09 AM. Reason : ]

3/14/2011 12:00:55 AM

Did you guys see this tsunami video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLu3dj1PM1A

3/14/2011 2:50:46 AM

I hope Snewf is ok, I heard they are rationing electricity so some cities, including Tokyo, will not have any power short-term, in order to spread power around the country

3/14/2011 5:16:54 AM

cool/eerie footage of the earthquake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qizfq0xZabM

3/14/2011 5:28:58 AM

Helicopter view of tsunamis before it hits land.

Then major wipeout of city

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3AdFjklR50

3/14/2011 5:39:49 AM

Wow, so another explosion at reactor 3 has damaged the cooling system for reactor 2 which was stable but now could be unstable as well?

Can Japan catch a friggin break? This is heartbreaking.

3/14/2011 11:07:28 AM

http://www.space.com/11115-japan-earthquake-shortened-earth-days.html

fascinating.

Quote :

"The initial data suggests Friday's earthquake moved Japan's main island about 8 feet, according to Kenneth Hudnut of the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake also shifted Earth's figure axis by about 6 1/2 inches (17 centimeters), Gross added. The Earth's figure axis is not the same as its north-south axis in space, which it spins around once every day at a speed of about 1,000 mph (1,604 kph). The figure axis is the axis around which the Earth's mass is balanced and the north-south axis by about 33 feet (10 meters). "This shift in the position of the figure axis will cause the Earth to wobble a bit differently as it rotates, but will not cause a shift of the Earth's axis in space – only external forces like the gravitational attraction of the sun, moon, and planets can do that," Gross said."

3/14/2011 11:13:04 AM

The report this morning was that 25% of their power generating power was completely destroyed (country-wide) or will be offline for months for repair. That's scary.

[Edited on March 14, 2011 at 11:26 AM. Reason : V thanks. Posting from work and boss was callin' me.]

3/14/2011 11:18:47 AM

Quote :

"25% of there power"

Sorry, [/grammar nazi]

Just overheard someone saying that most of the friends she's been able to get in touch with are safe, but don't have power, and there have been about 300 quakes in the last 60 hours. That's like, every 20 minutes. >_<

3/14/2011 11:22:41 AM

I wish I had a dollar for everytime someone said "dramatic images" in reference to a video clip during a disaster.

3/14/2011 6:16:49 PM

Quote :

"The report this morning was that 25% of their power generating power was completely destroyed (country-wide) or will be offline for months for repair. That's scary."

Oil, coal, and natural gas, and natural gas might explode in price in the coming years.

3/14/2011 6:21:23 PM

http://imgur.com/r81co

3/14/2011 6:51:24 PM

3/14/2011 6:56:59 PM

3/14/2011 7:10:11 PM

cnn just posted this on fb a little while ago. this video is insane. watch the whole thing, but if you don't have patience ff to 2:00. the earth splits, then repeatedly opens & closes, then spits out water
http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/ireports/2011/03/14/irpt.japan.earthquake.cracks.ireport.html

3/14/2011 7:25:51 PM

that dude was pretty calm

3/14/2011 7:29:30 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/13/world/asia/satellite-photos-japan-before-and-after-tsunami.html

3/14/2011 7:30:52 PM

If you're gonna post from reddit, I will too.

Good priorities.

3/14/2011 7:40:04 PM

^I know it's not particularly funny, but I laughed anyway

damn Christian bitches

3/14/2011 7:44:31 PM

maybe they're super-absorbent bibles

3/14/2011 7:58:19 PM

The ultra new testament, now spongier than ever!

3/14/2011 7:59:04 PM

It's been raised to a 9.0 and a third explosion has occurred at that plant. They're saying fuel rods have been exposed and that is not good at all.

3/14/2011 9:41:07 PM

Quote :

"It's been raised to a 9.0"

wat?
Found a link: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2727&from=rss_home

[Edited on March 14, 2011 at 9:55 PM. Reason : link]

3/14/2011 9:53:04 PM

Quote :

"v\The U.S. Geological Survey revises up its estimate of the quake's magnitude to 9.0"

3/14/2011 9:54:52 PM

That video of the cracks opening up was freaky shows you how much things are changing. Also if I saw that I'd be getting the fuck away not standing over it for fear of a massive crack swallowing me

3/14/2011 10:03:03 PM

Lol I saw that video and the dude is calm as ever as the sidewalk is splitting and water is coming up in the park. Then when he goes "yeah this used to be a harbor and they filled it in with rocks and dirt" and you see water shooting up I was all

3/14/2011 10:22:33 PM

we're on the fence about our trip now - i'm not happy about it

3/14/2011 10:23:26 PM

where were you heading?

Tokyo is fine from where I'm sitting

3/14/2011 10:58:29 PM

I donated to the Red Cross. Does anyone here hold the opinion there are other charities with greater merit? I'm interested in hearing it.

3/14/2011 11:04:51 PM

^ here are some as listed by NBC tonight

http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/11/6247271-japan-earthquake-how-to-help

3/14/2011 11:12:13 PM

Quote :

"we're on the fence about our trip now - i'm not happy about it"

i mean, of all the times and places for vacations, Japan doesn't seem like a premium destination as of March 14th, 2011

3/14/2011 11:14:13 PM

why not?

the falling yen gives the USD leverage

you can get more bang for your buck!

3/14/2011 11:31:28 PM

tokyo / osaka / kyoto / yokohoma / hakone / hiroshima - leave on mar 23

tokyo is the closest to everything - the blackouts and lessened train frequency are the main reasons we are considering just moving it back - my brother lives just south of tokyo and said yesterday he was 90% sure we should come and today he's 75% sure

3/14/2011 11:39:25 PM

i look at it like Katrina

don't go to New Orleans for a vacation right after Katrina

but if you want to go to help out, sure, no doubt, do your thing

3/15/2011 12:28:41 AM

http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/11/6247271-japan-earthquake-how-to-help

Quote :

" * Using your cell phone, you can text-message donations of $10 to the Red Cross. Text the letters REDCROSS to 90999 to make the $10 donation, or visit the organization's website. * The International Medical Corps is putting together relief teams, as well as supplies. The organization is in "contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities,” said Nancy Aossey, IMC president, on its website. You can donate here. Or, you can text MED to 80888 to donate $10 to emergency relief efforts. * Save the Children is accepting donations for its Children's Emergency Fund. "We are extremely concerned for the welfare of children and their families who have been affected by the disaster. We stand ready to meet the needs of children who are always the most vulnerable in a disaster,' said Eiichi Sadamatsu of the organization in a statement. * GlobalGiving, based in Washington, D.C., is providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. * Facebook has a Disaster Relief page with lots of good information about organizations that are offering aid, and that you can help, in turn. * Microsoft has a Disaster Response Effort underway. "We are taking a number of steps, including ensuring the safety of our employees and their families and proactively offering customers, partners and local response agencies technical support to help ensure business continuity," the company said. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.) * Mercy Corps is accepting donations to provide emergency assistance to earthquake survivors in Japan on behalf of their partner, Peace Winds Japan. "

So I feel pretty good about the Red Cross for this one. Hopefully they'll direct the money wherever it works and not play politics.

3/15/2011 12:43:01 AM

Why should we donate to Japan when most of the world is living in worse conditions WITHOUT any natural disasters?

3/15/2011 1:16:59 AM

Ill have to agree with eman. I can hardly afford to pay for my own shit as it is. Bring gas down to 2.50 again and then we can talk.

3/15/2011 1:22:27 AM

well it ain't like you're drivin a prius

3/15/2011 2:30:11 AM

Omar

there's a bunch of fear mongering going on

I went to Meiji shrine today and it was pretty empty - totally cool way to experience it

3/15/2011 4:11:50 AM

Quote :

"Why should we donate to Japan when most of the world is living in worse conditions WITHOUT any natural disasters"

Because Japanese people rank higher on the totem pole than inbred niggers with AIDS?


that or.. Japan is our close ally.

3/15/2011 4:25:36 AM

3/15/2011 5:06:44 AM

Pure eloquence.

3/15/2011 5:10:24 AM

Quote :

"we're on the fence about our trip now - i'm not happy about it"

OKINAWA!!!!!!!!!!!!

3/15/2011 5:19:31 AM

^ 4 or Japan donated millions to us after Katrina.

Quote :

"d there have been about 300 quakes in the last 60 hours."

To be fair, it's not like you would feel most of those aftershocks. It's not like every twenty minutes your house is shaking.

3/15/2011 8:19:30 AM

Most countries offered services to the United States after Katrina, but few offered them free. Most said something like this...."We will bring X for X amount."....that is why we said no to most of them. Even with a disaster like Katrina, the great USA can pay for it and it is not donated.

3/15/2011 8:34:34 AM

We accepted Japan's aid.

3/15/2011 8:49:14 AM