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What are Meltdowns?

Updated: 9/11/2023
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The coolant in a nuclear reactor literally melts, and the reaction goes out of control. The entire plant can melt, and radiation leaks throughout the world. See Chernobyl for details.

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Continue Learning about Physics

Did a nuclear plant ever exploded in the US?

No, but the reactor at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania had a near melt-down. Nuclear plants don't explore. They have meltdowns.


What are the consequences of nuclear leaks and meltdowns?

Some of the consequences of nuclear leaks and meltowns include radioactive contamination in areas surrounding the leaks. Loss of life, pollution, and even long term damage to the land is also caused by nuclear leaks.


Is it possible for a nuclear power plant to blow up like an atomic bomb?

No.. Entirely impossible. There've been a couple meltdowns such as Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, A few scattered partial meltdowns, and a bunch of Russian Submarines. But the reactor is in no way designed to explode. They have to MAKE it explode for atomic bombs. You can't just pick up some uranium and set it on fire and hope it blows up. Explosions can happen and kick radioactive material around, but there won't be some huge mushroom cloud a mile wide. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_meltdown for more information.


What is the safest type of energy?

According to statistical data nuclear energy is the safest. It only causes 0.04 deaths per terrawatt hour while wind and solar energy cause over 10. There have been meltdowns and disasters, but nuclear energy is fairly safe.


How old is Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant?

Construction for the Fukushima Daiichi plant began on July 25, 1967. The first reactor to go on line was Unit 1, commissioned on March 26, 1971. At the time of the meltdowns, the plant had been in operation for almost 40 years.

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