Among the catastrophes that have left a deep mark on the environment and humanity are nuclear accidents. As you might expect, many people wonder which is the most radioactive place on Earth. According to the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) ranking, Chernobyl in Ukraine, Fukushima in Japan and Mayak in Russia are considered the most radioactive places on Earth due to human activities.
The 3 most radioactive places on Earth
Chernobyl, Ukraine
Classified by the INES as Level 7 (severe accident), the Chernobyl disaster occurred on April 26, 1986 when reactor number 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded. The reason was human error coupled with a failure to follow established procedures.
[post_relacionado]During a test run, the reactor quickly reached a critical state, causing a steam explosion that exposed the fuel and triggered a raging fire and core meltdown. The explosion and fire released large quantities of radioactive material into the environment, covering different areas of Europe and creating a 30-kilometer exclusion zone around the site.
It is estimated that the radiation released was 200 times greater than that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Although radioactivity has decreased over time, today the area remains extremely dangerous, as radiation levels are still very high and there are small releases of radioactive isotopes, especially near the reactor sealed under the new “sarcophagus”, the steel structure initially built in 1986 and replaced by another one in 2016 to cover the reactor for the next 100 years.
Many years will have to pass before Chernobyl becomes a habitable place. For now, it is and will remain one of the most radioactive places on the planet.
Fukushima, Japan
Like the Chernobyl disaster, the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on March 11, 2011 is at level 7 in the INEA classification. On that day, an earthquake followed by a tsunami caused the meltdown of three reactors at the nuclear plant, releasing radiation into the air and the Pacific Ocean. The exclusion zone around Fukushima spans a 20-kilometer radius, and the disaster claimed marine and land-based lives. The emergency led to the evacuation of thousands of people and decontamination efforts are ongoing to this day.
Despite the decontamination work carried out to date, the area is one of the most radioactive places on the planet.
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant continues to be a source of concern, especially in relation to contaminated water. Although the plant is not releasing large amounts of radiation into the atmosphere, water used to cool the melted reactors has accumulated and is being stored in tanks. Some of this water has been treated, but it still contains tritium, which is difficult to remove and is being released in a controlled manner into the Pacific Ocean.
Although this activity has been approved by the Japanese government and the IAEA, it has generated controversy and environmental concerns.
Mayak, Russia
Lake Karachay is known as the most contaminated place on the planet because in 1951 it was converted into a repository for radioactive waste from the Mayak nuclear power plant and in September 1957, an explosion at the nuclear fuel processing plant, known as the Kyshtym disaster, released large amounts of radiation. The cooling system in one of the tanks (which contained 70 to 80 tons of liquid radioactive waste) failed and was not repaired.
Although this accident is less well known than those at Chernobyl and Fukushima, it is classified at level 6 of the International Nuclear Event Scale and the radiation levels at the site are so high that 1 hour of exposure near the lake could be fatal.
Despite cleanup efforts, the region remains extremely dangerous. The area remains closed to the public and authorities are constantly monitoring radiation levels.
Currently, Lake Karachay is not releasing large amounts of radiation into the atmosphere. However, radioactive contamination in soil and water remains extremely high. Russian authorities have taken measures to cover and contain the lake to prevent the dispersion of radioactive dust.
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