Massive 8.9-magnitude quake hits Japan

[Jedi QuestMaster]

I donated $50 - which just happens to come out to 4077 yen.

Yay, M*A*S*H! 4077 is also the address I was born at.

[tappybot]

Oh man, just about 5 minutes ago there was an Earthquake somewhere. My building was shaking, lasted about 30 seconds or so.

Yipes! 

[tonev]

Yes I heard it too hope everything is ok

[UglyJoe]

I heard reactors are a lot worst now. They are all 3 melting. Can anyone confirm this ?

The melting is not so bad as long as it can be contained.  The explosions that occurred only destroyed outer buildings that cover the containment vessels for those reactors.  There was a spike in radioactivity readings after the explosion in reactor #2, which may mean that the vessel was damaged and is leaking radioactive gasses (although there are also reports that the pressure level hasn't dropped, which would be expected if there was a leak). 

There is also now a fire in a pool covering spent rods in reactor #4.  This is a big deal because the water is evaporating and there is no containment vessel.  They're looking into ways to get more water there.

Wikipedia (yeah, I know) actually has a good recap of all the events:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_I_nuclear_accident

[jpx72]

People here in europe are not taking it too seriously, but I'm beginning to be stressed out by the nuclear threat situation. Winds can carry the dangerous substances all over the world... I mean, I was very small when the Tchernobyl blowed, our goverment was keeping the incident secret so 3 days later my parents even  took me to the mountains for a "healthy walk" .  Now we know about the situation and still acting like nothing happens... (But what can be do?)

[tonev]

Yes... hope there is nothing dangerous  happening

[linkzpikachu]

People here in europe are not taking it too seriously, but I'm beginning to be stressed out by the nuclear threat situation. Winds can carry the dangerous substances all over the world...

im not trying to be arrogant but wouldnt that have happend with chernoybl?

[satoshi_matrix]

I think this video is relevant to this thread.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBvUtY0PfB8

[fredJ]

I would appreciate information from our friends in Japan....  In particular from Tokyo.

Are there power blackouts? Are people talking about evacuating? Or is it just business as usual.

[manuel]

I'm not from Tokyo, but there are systematic blackouts there to save power.

[jpx72]

http://www.forochicas.com/foro/cafeteria/26484-fotos-terremoto-japon.html

[satoshi_matrix]

those photos are pretty incredible. thanks for sharing.

[L___E___T]

Last I heard things are starting to get a bit more back to normal in Tokyo, but there are still blackouts to save power and everyone is using other measures on top.  To be honest, Tokyo is not where my concern lies, it's all about the nuclear plant and those poor fellows attending to it.

[tonev]

Hope soon everything will get back to normal

[NintendoKing]

Another earthquake for Japan... 7.1-magnitude. Why??