[rottndog]

Nuclear reactors do not explode. Yes, they can melt down - that is why American nuclear plants have containments.

Well, nuclear reactors can explode. That's what happened at Chernobyl. But...it was not a 'nuclear' explosion...it was a steam explosion.

[SatinDoll]

The steam lines at Chernobyl were operated beyond their design limits and ruptured. The force of the steam eruption battered the reactor and damaged it, and spent fuel was pulverized, carried up with the steam. It was the coolant, which was graphite, that caught fire and sent up smoke.