October3, 2014
Nuclear operator raises possible quake strength
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/nuclear.html
Oct. 3, 2014 - Updated 12:37 UTC+2
The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan has increased by 50% its estimate of the strength of an earthquake that could hit the plant.
The utility had so far estimated the maximum strength of an earthquake that might hit Fukushima Daiichi at 600 gals and the possible height of a tsunami at 14 meters.
But in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan, the plant's area registered strength of up to 675 gals and the tsunami height was 15.5 meters.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority had instructed the Fukushima Daiichi plant's operator to consider revising its estimates.
It made the suggestion to prevent the reactors' containment vessels from being damaged or contaminated water from leaking. The vessels house melted nuclear fuel as a result of the 2011 nuclear accident.
At a meeting of experts called by the authority on Friday, the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi suggested raising the estimated strength of a possible earthquake from 600 gals to 900 gals.
They also increased the height of a possible tsunami to 26 meters.
The authority will shortly decide whether it will approve the figures presented by the utility.
