The earthquake was big, but in building a reactor on the PACIFIC RIM you set up ...

idlewords on March 13, 2011 | parent | context | favorite | on: Nuclear Experts Explain Worst-Case Scenario at Fuk...

The earthquake was big, but in building a reactor on the PACIFIC RIM you set up your worst case scenario to cover a 1000-year event centered underneath the structure, and with handsome margins.

This was a contingency that was planned for, but for some reason the systems are failing. The measures being taken now are clearly ad hoc, rather than part of an orderly contingency plan.

starpilot on March 13, 2011 [–]

Then when the ten-thousand year earthquake happens, you say thousand-year wasn't enough, it was bad engineering etc. Hindsight.