Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Science > Earth Sciences > Natural Disasters > Earthquakes > Earthquake in Japan 2011 > Can an explosion at a nuclear plant such as the Fukushima one in Japan cause an EMP?

Can an explosion at a nuclear plant such as the Fukushima one in Japan cause an EMP?

In: Earthquake in Japan 2011 [Edit categories]

Answer:

The Fukushima plant explosions occurred at the nuclear facility, but they were hydrogen explosions (hydrogen exploding, not a hydrogen-bomb explosion), so no. It would take a much higher release of energy than a hydrogen explosion to generate a significant electro-magnetic pulse or EMP.

Nuclear plants can cause significant and very long-term damage when they melt down and impact a lot of people with the release of radioactive material, but are not capable of exploding like an "atomic bomb." Fission and fusion bombs have to be specially designed and engineered to create those EMP-inducing mega-explosions.

First answer by Chibiabos Wolf. Last edit by Chibiabos Wolf. Contributor trust: 16 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question].

[report abuse]

Can you answer these Earthquake in Japan 2011 questions?

	Where did actually tsunami hit japan?	Answer it!
	Was Shikoku effected by the tsunami in Japan?	Answer it!
	What was the modified Mercalli scale for the Alaskan earthquake?	Answer it!
	How many people died because of radiation after the bombings on japan?	Answer it!
	What happens to the height of the tsunami when its velocity is doubled?	Answer it!

Relevant answers:

What causes the japan nuclear power plant to malfunction?
The earthquake and the tsunamis it triggered. Beyond that we must await the failure analysis report.
What caused the fukushima nuclear power plant explosions?
The explosions were caused by hydrogen gas mixing with the atmosphere in a contained system, and exploding. There are two ways this could happen. When the tsunami hit, it basically wiped out all the...
What caused the explosion at one of Japans nuclear power plants?
A loss of water caused the fuel to overheat. The zirconium alloy cladding on the hot fuel rods had a catalytic reaction with water and formed hydrogen gas. When they added water back in an attempt to...
Why were the nuclear power plants in Japan where they were?
The power plant were where they were because the generators needed cool water for the cooling systems at the plant.
Why is Japan having Hydrogen explosions at nuclear power plants?
Electrical generators are cooled with hydrogen gas. If the containment of the hydrogen, either the tubes leading from the electrical generators to the cooling water supply fails due to...