Fukushima Daiichi Reactor

Definition

The Fukushima Daiichi Reactor refers to a nuclear power plant located in Japan that experienced a severe accident following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The disaster resulted in multiple reactor meltdowns, release of radioactive materials, and significant environmental contamination.

Analogy

Imagine a sandcastle on the beach being hit by a massive wave. The force of the water can cause the sandcastle to crumble and collapse. Similarly, when the Fukushima Daiichi Reactor was struck by a powerful earthquake followed by a tsunami, it suffered severe damage leading to reactor meltdowns.

Related terms

Nuclear Power Plant: A nuclear power plant is a facility where nuclear reactions are used to generate electricity.

Radioactive Material: Radioactive material refers to substances that emit radiation due to unstable atomic nuclei.

Containment Structure: A containment structure is a protective barrier surrounding a nuclear reactor designed to prevent the release of radioactive materials into the environment in case of accidents or malfunctions.