Fukushima: five years on – FAQs
Five years after the disaster at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the Oeko-Institut answers the key questions about the disaster’s timeline, latest assessments of the events, and the current situation at the site.
Fukushima: five years on – FAQs
Fukushima five years ago and today
On 11 March 2011, a massive earthquake hit the east coast of Japan. The quake caused a tsunami, with waves as high as 38 metres, which led to large-scale flooding and destruction of roads, the power supply and other infrastructure along Japan’s eastern seaboard. The earthquake and tsunami also struck several nuclear power plants. Fukushima Daiichi sustained the worst damage, triggering a chain of events which led to core meltdown, major hydrogen explosions and massive releases of radiation.
Five years on, the Oeko-Institut answers some frequently asked questions: What happened at Fukushima Daiichi in March 2011? What is the current situation at the reactor site? What is being done to limit the damage? What is life like for the evacuees? And how contaminated are foods and the environment – and what is the impact on human health?
Further information about Fukushima from the Oeko-Institut
Contacts at the Oeko-Institut:
Nuclear safety:
Dr Christoph Pistner
Deputy Head of Division
Nuclear Engineering & Facility Safety
Öko-Institut e.V., Darmstadt office
Tel: +49 6151 8191-190
E-mail: c.pistner@oeko.de
Radiation protection:
Christian Küppers
Deputy Head of Division
Nuclear Engineering & Facility Safety
Öko-Institut e.V., Darmstadt office
Tel: +49 6151 8191-123
E-mail: c.kueppers@oeko.de
Dr Veronika Ustohalova
Senior Researcher
Nuclear Engineering & Facility Safety Division
Öko-Institut e.V., Darmstadt office
Tel: +49 6151 8191-151
E-mail: v.ustohalova@oeko.de