Earthquake 11

I'm hoping this is one of the last posts with this title. Of course recovery will be a long process of years, but it's expected that the nuclear reactor will be under control soon. They are finally making progress.

After poisoning the reactor with boron and seawater, then using helicopters to dump seawater, and finally firetrucks, the end of the mess may finally be in sight. In reactors 1-4, the temperature has dropped below 100 C. Cables were successfully laid to reactors 1,2, and 3 today at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. It is hoped that the power through these will be able to support the cooling systems. Reactors 4-6 will have cables laid tomorrow. It is possible though that 5 and 6 may also have cables laid today though, but making sure that the reactors are safe is the first priority. According to Touden's Equipment Department, "We cannot say for certain if everything is better because we must check to make sure that there is not even one piece of equipment that does not work properly." Which is plain and non-Japanese English basically means, "Things are getting better, but we don't want to raise spirits too high yet because we want to make sure that everything is right first."

Also, MIT has made a lovely website to help everyone understand. It's in definitely more advanced scientific English, but if you have the time and you want to fully understand what's going on, go there. It's in the sources below.

To another day and the gradual improvement of the situation in Japan.

Michelle

Sources:
１・２号機へ送電復旧、１９日にも　福島第一原発　(Asahi Shinbun)
１～４号機「表面温度100度以下に」　防衛相が発表 (Nikkei)
３号機に注水成功　官房長官「一定の安定状態に」 (Nikkei)
MIT NSE Nuclear Information Hub