Active Faults under Nuclear Power Plants
It is well known some of Japanese nuclear power plants stand on active faults, a source of an earthquake.
Some 40 years ago, when Japan started in full swing to build nuclear power plants, it was thought that an active fault, part of ground showing discontinuity in its expansion, was a result of an earthquake but not a potential source of an earthquake. Accordingly, utility makers and the Japanese Government did not take existence of an active fault seriously as a forbidding factor. They did not mind choosing a lot with or close to an active fault for a construction site of a nuclear power plant.
However, when seismology advanced, it became clear that an active fault was a very visible source of an earthquake and thus building a nuclear power plant near an active fault was so dangerous. But, the utility companies, such as Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and the Japanese Government did not yet to take particular note of the danger. They supported scientists who judged and reported that the scales of active faults close to nuclear power plants were shorter or smaller than other scientists claimed. They even reportedly put pressure on scientists who gave a warning to the danger of building a nuclear plant in an area close to an active fault.
So, the most threatening nuclear power plant to Tokyo, the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant, is close to an active fault. TEPCO's largest nuclear power plant on the Sea of Japan, the Kashiwazaki-Kariya, is close to some active faults. The Ohi Nuclear Power Plant, 90km north of Kyoto City, is situated in an area full of active faults. Even the Fukushima Daiichi has an active fault 50km southwest which is not however the source of the 3/11 Great Tsunami..
Though many experts associated with electricity companies and the Japanese Government assure that those nuclear power plants can withstand any reasonably expected earthquake to be caused by those active faults, now a majority of the Japanese people doubt their word. After the Fukshima Daiichi accident which was triggered by an M9.0 earthquake in the North Pacific Ocean, operation of those nuclear power plants have become so difficult. Consequently, nuclear power plant operators cannot now restart operation of their plants after periodic inspections and halt of the plants in which they were put in 2011. In this way, now only one nuclear power plant among more than 50 is in operation in Japan.
The Japanese Government is now studying whether those halted nuclear power plants should be allowed to resume their operation based on results of the so-called stress test. However, the proactive measures taken in each power station do not look sufficient. They have not fully introduced anti-seismic structure to building in the plants. They have not prepared a sufficient number of emergency workers who can work in environment with higher doses if an earthquake caused damage on a nuclear reactor. Their breakwaters have a height that can only narrowly withstand the expected maximum heights of the worst case of tsunamis.
The electric power suppliers and the Japanese Government still look like having the same mind set as they had when they suppressed and obstructed scientists who gave a warning to danger of nuclear power plants standing in an area featuring active faults.
But why? Probably they put a higher priority on fighting those who try to attack the establishment, namely the big companies and the government, for any reasons, including a nuclear policy. If the establishment admits their fault in planning and building nuclear power plants in these decades, they must think, they would lose face and grounds to keep the upper hand of their opponents. So, this selfish interest of the elite group is endangering Japan in terms of nuclear safety so ridiculously.
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Gen 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
Gen 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
Gen 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Gen 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Gen 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Gen 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Gen 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
Gen 4:11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
Gen 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
Gen 4:13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Gen 4:14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
Gen 4:15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.