(Japanese) Govt panel was preparing to warn of major tsunami

[FBaggins]

A Japanese panel of seismologists knew about the risk of a major tsunami in northeastern Japan before disaster struck on March 11th. The group had put together a report in February and was planning to release it in April. NHK obtained a copy of the report drawn up by the government's Earthquake Research Committee. It focuses on quakes and tsunamis off the Pacific coastline of northeastern Japan.

The document includes the committee's analysis of an earthquake that is known to have struck the region more than 1,140 years ago. Citing recent studies, the report estimates that the ancient earthquake was caused when 3 sections of the seabed shifted simultaneously. It says the quake probably measured around Magnitude 8.3, triggering enormous tsunamis that flooded vast areas of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.

...snip...

One of the experts involved in the study says he regrets the committee's failure to warn of the risk as soon as it was discovered -- no matter how low the probability was.

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/06_27.html

In (probably) related news, the Prime Minister just asked Chubu Electric to shut down Hamaoka reactors #4&5 (1&2 are decomissioned and #3 was already shut down for inspection... #6 is still under construction) because of earthquake risks (it's also along the coast) until additional protections can be put in place.

From NHK - "The reactor complex sits directly above the projected focus of a magnitude-8 class earthquake that experts have long warned of."

[SpoonFed]

1. Still playing Russian Roulette...

Except they're no longer willing to put bullets in all the chambers.

[guardian]

2. huh?

the whole point of Russian Roulette is NOT to put bullets in all the chambers. Of course there is always the Darwin Award winner who plays using a semi-auto and only puts one cartridge in the magazine.

[SpoonFed]

4. I was being sarcastic... but forgot to use the cute icon.

Yes, I realize that Russian Roulette isn't played with a fully loaded gun. I thought it was obvious that I was comparing nuke power generation to like playing RR with fully loaded revolver; pretty much 100% chance of death. And that shutting down a couple of reactors (the OP) is like taking, say, only one bullet out of the gun.

Why play at all?

The metaphor is flawed of course, nuclear power isn't 100% Instant-Mega-Death. It's more a comment on the similarities with regards to the probability of disaster, the odds aren't stacked in the player's favor and the negative outcomes are severe.

[Fledermaus]

3. Where's the corium now?

Nobody knows! Is the radation in the water table? If it is then, its slowly weeping & seeping into the sea.

[SpoonFed]

5. Why...

do you insist on asking difficult questions?

:sarcasm: