Posted on 03/13/2011 6:32:06 AM PDT by BenLurkin
The best science suggested that the nearest earthquake fault, which is five miles from the plant.
Until the next fault line was found last year.it runs half the length of the state.
This is what happens when reporters try to distill very complex subjects into a few sentences for laymen readers.
The ability of a fault to release energy is related to the length of the fault. The amount of energy transmitted to a site depends on a number of factors, including the type of fault movement, the distance from the site, and the foundation conditions.
When evaluating a structure for seismic loading ALL potential faults are looked at and complex calculations made to determine the most critical ground motions. A short close fault may be more critical than a bigger one far away.
This is a young science and each earthquake allows new evaluations worldwide. Upgrades then have the potential to make facilities safer over time.
Well said. France, Japan and other nations continue to build new plants but we've not built one since 1974.
MSNBC already ran with an alarmist piece highlighting the 13 GE Mark I plants here in the U.S. and allegations of "design flaws." Completely irresponsible of them and far removed from the Japanese situation but they want eyeballs for ads and will do anything to get them even if it panders to mass hysteria.
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