Japan quakes

[Hornet331]

background radiation is around 10-30 cpm (counts per minute) iirc

Depends on the region, in the usa it can go up to 60 for normal backgorund radiation. But it depends also on with what the geiger counter is calibrated (Co60 or Cs137). For this model its with Co60 and 1mR/hr = 1080 cpm

So:
10 cpm = 9.2593 µR/hr = 0.00925 µSv/hr = 9.2593 nSv/hr

[kazuyakun]

Absolutely breaks my heart to hear they still haven't resolved the nuclear issue. The japanese don't need anymore unfortunate incidents coming their way, my heart goes out to the affected people. Stay strong.

[pcwhisperer]

I'm not sure, but yesterday i think it was at around 002.50 . Where is this counter located ?


http://www.ustream.tv/channel/geiger..._medium=social

Just to make sure i really don't remember the numbers that should replace the 000 in 0002.50
So its possible there is no major diffenrence or on average any at all. I'm not trying to twist something to increase panic or something.

[Face]

Another chart I just saw:

[dctokyo]

can anyone tell what are the units ? what is the typical in non radioactive environment ?

•Normal range is usually under 60 CPM. Over 130 is not good.
•100 CPM is equivalent to 1 microsievert or 0.1 millirem.
•The dangerous level recorded at one of the reactors this morning was 400,000 microsieverts.

[dctokyo]

I'm not sure, but yesterday i think it was at around 002.50 . Where is this counter located ?


http://www.ustream.tv/channel/geiger..._medium=social

The highest level in Tokyo today was apparently 89 CPM, or .809 microsievert per hour

[dctokyo]

Latest update:

TOKYO — Panic swept Tokyo on Tuesday after a rise in radioactive levels around an earthquake-hit nuclear power plant north of the city, causing some to leave the capital and others to stock up on food and supplies.

Several embassies advised staff and citizens to leave affected areas, tourists cut short vacations and multinational companies either urged staff to leave or said they were considering plans to move outside Tokyo where low levels of radiation have been detected.

Two sources told NBC News that the blast breached the containment structure and that radiation had leaked out.

Levels of radiation had risen in Tokyo but for now were "not a problem," the city government said. Radiation levels in Saitama, near Tokyo, were 40 times normal levels — not enough to cause human damage but enough to stoke panic in the bustling, ultra-modern and hyper-efficient metropolis of about 12 million people.

Winds over the troubled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear-power complex, about 150 miles north of Tokyo, are blowing slowly in a southwesterly direction that includes Tokyo, but will shift westerly later on Tuesday, a weather official said.

One scientist, however, urged people in Tokyo to stay calm.

"Radioactive material will reach Tokyo but it is not harmful to human bodies because it will be dissipated by the time it gets to Tokyo," said Koji Yamazaki, professor at Hokkaido University graduate school of environmental science.

"If the wind gets stronger, it means the material flies faster but it will be even more dispersed in the air."

[wez]

Thanks for keeping us updated dctokyo. Scary to see increased numbers in Tokyo, but not alarmingly high yet unless the values stay at those levels for very long periods?

[Postmodum]

Incredibly stressing news ... i can't imagine the psychological stress you guys are being subject too

Hang on tight ...
We feel so "useless" in these situations ...

[El Mano]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698

#
1435: Following earlier reports, it appears there has been more than one strong aftershock in Japan - AP reports two tremors measuring over 6.0 within three minutes of each other.

#
1436: The IAEA says Monday's blast at Fukushima may have affected the integrity of the containment vessel - there are fears of more serious radioactive leaks if happen.

#
1439: A 30km (18 mile) no-fly zone is in place around Fukushima, says the IAEA.

[dctokyo]

Just moments ago, another major earthquake hit Japan. It was centered around Shizuoka prefecture, and had a magnitude of about 6.0, according to television reports.

The epicenter was inland, so they are saying there is no tsunami risk.

[geo]

Appreciate the updates dctokyo. stay safe

[saaya]

•Normal range is usually under 60 CPM. Over 130 is not good.
•100 CPM is equivalent to 1 microsievert or 0.1 millirem.
•The dangerous level recorded at one of the reactors this morning was 400,000 microsieverts.

I watched nhk a lot and they kept showing an interview where an official said radiation spiked to 11000 mili sieverts this morning... only for a short time... but... thats 11 sv...

BTW, according to rumors in Taiwan, the Japanese president is very upset over all the Bs from tepco and the company will be dismantled. He supposedly also told tepco that he won't ALLOW them to evacuate the plant...

[dctokyo]

BTW, according to rumors in Taiwan, the Japanese president is very upset over all the Bs from tepco

Not a rumor, Japan Prime Minister Kan is very pissed
Japan Prime Minister says “What the hell is going on?” when meeting with TEPCO execs

Prime Minister Naoto Kan has strongly criticised the Tokyo Electric Power Company for its handling of the Fukushima No 1 nuclear plant, according to Japan’s Kyodo news. “The TV reported an explosion. But nothing was said to the premier’s office for about an hour,” a Kyodo News reporter overheard Mr Kan saying during a meeting with company executives. “What the hell is going on?” Kan strongly ordered the company not to withdraw its employees from the power plant, which has been facing a series of problems since Friday’s massive quake, ranging from explosions to radiation leaks.

[MrToad]

Not a rumor, Japan Prime Minister Kan is very pissed
Japan Prime Minister says “What the hell is going on?” when meeting with TEPCO execs

Having a go at the executives of TEPCO yeah, but I wouldn't be hasty in passing judgement on the people working at the plant.

I can't even begin to comprehend what those people are going through...

Besides their personal circumstances which I'm sure will be affecting their performance I don't believe that even in a geologically unstable country like Japan you can train your staff for events like last Friday's, and I don't believe a precedent exists in the history of nuclear fision to learn from...

In fact I have the distinct feeling this event will go as first textbook example of catastrophic failure due to extreme natural disaster.

[pcwhisperer]

In fact I have the distinct feeling this event will go as first textbook example of catastrophic failure due to catastrophic overconfidence of mankinds technological domination over the sum of dynamics also called planet blue aka earth.

[Dr_Swizz]

From http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/asia...ency-live-blog:


"Just before midnight, we reported that the ongoing crisis at Fukushima nuclear plant had been upgraded to a level 6 on the 7-point International Nuclear Events Scale. Andre-Claude Lacoste, president of France's ASN nuclear safety authority said:

We are now in a situation that is different from yesterday's. It is very clear that we are at a level six, which is an intermediate level between what happened at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl.

We are clearly in a catastrophe

Meanwhile, the US-based Institute for Science and International Security said the situation had "worsened considerably" and that "it may unfortunately reach a level 7 event".

A level 6 event means that consequences are broader and countermeasures are needed to deal with the radioactive contamination.

A level 7 event would constitute a larger release of radioactive material, and would require further extended countermeasures.

The international community should step up assistance to Japan, said the thinktank."

[Olivon]

Japan Earthquake: before and after - ABC News

[kam03]

japan earthquake: Before and after - abc news

o_o!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PcCI2iminal]

hello guys
im OK,my area was not affected by earthquake .....
not affected??
im lying...everyone in Japan(why not the entire world?) was affected....

we lost friends there..the victms needs food,water,clothes ..its winter and now the fukushima power plant will collapse sometime soon..
they(we) need help and hurry..
and we are doing everything we can do to help them

[G H Z]

Criminal how would you suggest people help? Please tell us. I don't have a good feeling about many charities here, in that the assistance might not actually get to the people who need it.

[[XC] gomeler]

In fact I have the distinct feeling this event will go as first textbook example of catastrophic failure due to catastrophic overconfidence of mankinds technological domination over the sum of dynamics also called planet blue aka earth.

I disagree. We've had plenty of other catastrophic technological failures in the past. Katrina and levees shake loose any memories?

[Buckeye]

Criminal how would you suggest people help? Please tell us. I don't have a good feeling about many charities here, in that the assistance might not actually get to the people who need it.

From what I understand the Red Cross is the best way to help, you can even say put this money twards Japan aid.

Good to hear you and your family are ok PcCI2iminal.

[MrToad]

Criminal how would you suggest people help? Please tell us. I don't have a good feeling about many charities here, in that the assistance might not actually get to the people who need it.

I resorted to the Red Cross, but if you have any suggestions I'd be happy to put some more grains of sand.

[mattlef]

NHK reporting smoke from the Spent fuel pool....
Says it could be steam.... you can see it on their live feed.

I wonder if the pool has gone up in flames again.... and if radiation levels are going to go up again