Japan: Nuclear Fuel Removal

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Japan

Nuclear Fuel Removal
In 2011, the Fukushima, Japan nuclear energy plant was hit by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami, causing immense damage to the reactors and the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people. Today, after a five-year delay caused by high levels of radiation and heavy debris, Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) began removing 566 nuclear fuel rods from the open storage pools of Unit 3, which alone will take two years. Part of this four-decade plan to shut down the entire plant is the removal of molten nuclear fuel, which will not begin until 2021. Residents of towns evacuated near the plant, such as Okuma, are allowed to return to their homes now that radiation is at safer levels. This map depicts the location of the nuclear plant and the evacuation zone around Fukushima, Japan. Click on the map to learn more.

Further Reading: BBC, Al Jazeera, The New York Times, NBC, ABC

Graphic Source: AFP
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Seychelles
First Underwater Speech
The president of Seychelles, Danny Faure, delivered a speech 406 feet deep in the Indian Ocean to stress the importance of protecting the oceans which are “under threat like never before.” He is the first person to deliver a speech from an underwater submersible. President Faure joined a British-led expedition to explore the deep sections of waters surrounding Seychelles. The goal of the mission is to garner public support for protecting 30% of the nation’s waters by 2020 as well as raise awareness toward the critical action needed to save the oceans. Last year, Seychelles made a landmark decision to protect areas the size of Great Britain in its surrounding waters. This map depicts areas surrounding Seychelles that the nation protected in 2018. Click on the map to expand.

Further Reading: BBC, New York Times, NBC, Associated Press, The Guardian

Graphic Source: Daily Mail
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Germany
Charged with Diesel Rigging
On Monday, prosecutors in Braunschweig, Germany pressed criminal charges against former Volkswagen (VW) Chief Executive Officer, Martin Winterkorn, in connection with his involvement in the company’s diesel emissions scandal. VW first admitted in September 2015 that it had used illegal software to cheat US emissions tests. The carmaker had programmed computers in its vehicles to detect when they were being tested and alter the running of diesel engines to conceal the true level of emissions. The scandal came to light after a study of emissions by researchers at West Virginia University. Winterkorn is also facing criminal charges in the U.S., but is unlikely to face trial as Germany does not extradite its citizens.This map depicts the distribution of estimated actual excess VW light-duty diesel vehicle NOx emissions from 2008 through 2015. Click on the map to learn more.

Further Reading: BBC, Associated Press, Bloomberg, Deutsche Welle, Reuters

Graphic Source: IOP Science

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Friday’s Answer

Q: What is the last remaining lake in an ancient chain of lakes that once stretched the length of North Africa?

A: Ichkeul Lake, Tunisia
Located in Tunisia, this shallow lake with fluctuating water levels and salinity serves as an important over-wintering stop for hundreds of thousands of birds. It was listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Source

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Japan: Nuclear Fuel Removal