Check the ground under nuclear plants!

July 17, 2012

Experts: ground under nuke plants needs assessment

      http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120717_40.html

Experts have asked the government to assess cracks under the ground below and around nuclear power plants. They want to ascertain whether the gaps are active faults or not.

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency is listening to opinions from geologists and other experts about breaches around nuclear plants throughout Japan.

The move came after some scientists recently pointed out the possibility that the fissures near the No. 2 reactor of the Tsuruga nuclear plant in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, could be active faults.

On Tuesday, the experts discussed the Ohi plant, also in Fukui Prefecture. They noted one of underground rifts runs about 900 meters from north to south between the No.2 and No.3 reactors.

The analysts said there is not enough data to determine whether the cleft is active or not. They added the power company has to do more research.

At the Ohi plant, the No. 3 reactor was recently fully restarted and the No. 4 reactor is to resume operation on Wednesday.

The analysts also asked that breaches under the Shika nuclear plant in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan be reassessed. They said there is a 300-meter-long cleft 250 meters below the No. 1 reactor, and that it may be an active fault.

The nuclear safety agency is considering whether it should order power companies to carry out reassessments of plant security.

The government's quake-proof guidelines for nuclear plants do not allow important nuclear facilities to be built directly above active faults. If cracks are found to be active faults the utilities will be barred from operating the reactors.