Massive Explosion Reported at Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

As reported at the BBC, a massive explosion as taken place at the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Officials are saying that the core has not been damaged; however, several workers at the station were thought to be injured.

A huge explosion has rocked a Japanese nuclear power plant damaged by Friday’s devastating earthquake.

A pall of smoke was seen coming from the plant at Fukushima. Four workers were injured.

Japanese officials say the container housing the reactor was not damaged and that radiation levels have now fallen.

UPDATE I: To make matters worse, a magnitude 6.4 aftershock occurred at the site of the nuclear power plant.  The Japanese government has expanded the evacuation radius to 12 miles around the reactor and has urged residents of the region to stay indoors, turn off air conditioning units and not to drink tap water. As reported at the Guardian, Tens of thousands evacuated after plant explosion.

UPDATE II: FOX News is reporting that three individuals taken away from one of the nuclear power plants have been exposed to radiation.

VIDEO via Reuters

 Reuters: Radiation leaks from Japan’s quake-hit nuclear plant

UPDATE III: This is not looking good, from Stratfor, Red Alert: Nuclear Meltdown at Quake-Damaged Japanese Plant.

A March 12 explosion at the earthquake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma, Japan, appears to have caused a reactor meltdown.

The key piece of technology in a nuclear reactor is the control rods. Nuclear fuel generates neutrons; controlling the flow and production rate of these neutrons is what generates heat, and from the heat, electricity. Control rods absorb neutrons — the rods slide in and out of the fuel mass to regulate neutron emission, and with it, heat and electricity generation.

UPDATE IV: Japan declares emergencies at 5 nuclear units.