Nuclear Power Plants Found in Tsunami Risk Zones

Recently, a study led by European researchers found that 22 nuclear power plants are susceptible to the dangers of tsunamis, much like the Fukushima power plant that suffered a partial meltdown due to a tsunami back in March of 2011. Most of the 23 power plants found were in east and southeast regions of Asia, according to researchers. Of these 23 power plants, 13 of them are active while the remaining 10 are almost completed, or are being redesigned to make room for more reactors. With the nuclear crisis that was seen in Fukushima, it is alarming that there are 22 other power plants that are at the same kind of dangerous risk. What’s even more alarming is that even after the Fukushima crisis, there has been a rise in atomic power; China currently holds 27 out of the world’s 64 nuclear reactors that are under construction. Of these 27 reactors being built, 19 of them are under construction in what are considered to be dangerous areas. Japan also has 7 plants in risk zones, while South Korea has 2.
The effects of Fukushima were devastating, and another meltdown like this would once again have devastating effects on humans and the environment. During the Fukushima meltdown, thousands of people had to leave their homes, and many were at risk of exposure to radiation. Along with this, well over half of the radioactivity from Fukushima was dumped into the Pacific Ocean; leaving devastating effects on the environment. So why is it that with the hazards of tsunamis in relation to these power plants known that these power plants are still being built in high risk areas? There is no clear answer to this question. However, for as long as power plants are being built in high risk areas, it is pertinent that energy officials in these countries educate themselves and the community so everyone knows how to deal with these issues if/when catastrophe strikes. 

This GeoEye satellite image shows the nuclear reactors (labeled) at the Fukushima Daiichi plant after the earthquake and tsunami hit northeastern Japan.
CREDIT: GeoEye

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Study Finds Nuclear Plants in Tsunami Risk Zones