Active Fault Under the Higashidori Nuclear Plant
Channel: OTWTE
Date: 2013-09-12

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/ 

2ND SURVEY AT HIGASHIDORI NUCLEAR PLANT ENDS

 A member of Japan's nuclear power regulator says the result of its second survey at the Higashidori nuclear plant in northeastern Japan will not change its conclusion THAT FAULTS UNDER THE FACILITY APPEAR TO BE ACTIVE.

Nuclear Regulation Authority Commissioner Kunihiko Shimazaki was speaking to reporters on Wednesday after the 2-day survey by a panel of experts at the plant in Aomori Prefecture.

IN FEBRUARY, THE AUTHORITY COMPILED A DRAFT REPORT BASED ON ITS FIRST SURVEY LAST DECEMBER IN WHICH IT SAID THE FAULTS APPEARED TO BE ACTIVE.

On Wednesday the panel investigated a cross section of a trench dug by the plant's operator, Tohoku Electric Power Company, along a fault called F-3.

Tohoku Electric claimed that the faults were not active. The utility has been conducting its own additional survey.

Shimazaki indicated that the authority will examine Tohoku Electric's extra research before compiling a final report.

Sep. 4, 2013 - Updated 10:57 UTC

FAULTS EXAMINED UNDER NUCLEAR PLANT IN AOMORI

 Japan's nuclear regulator has begun the 2nd round of an on-site survey at the Higashidori nuclear power plant in northern Japan. The purpose is to determine whether earthquake faults under the compound are still active.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority bans the operation of nuclear plants located on active faults. The Higashidori plant in Aomori Prefecture is one of 4 nuclear facilities where the geology is currently under review.

NRA official Kunihiko Shimazaki and other experts began their 2-day assessment on Tuesday.

The team had concluded in February that 2 faults located under the facility may still be active.

However, plant operator Tohoku Electric Power Company argued that the faults are not active and requested further debate based on new data they collected.

The regulators will examine distortions in the strata at a depth of 10 meters near faults that run north to south under the Higashidori plant compound.

The regulator said in May that a reactor at the Tsuruga plant in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, sits on an active fault.

As for the Ohi plant in the same prefecture, experts agreed on Monday that a fault under the facility site is not active. Ohi is the only nuclear power plant in the country currently operating.

Sep. 3, 2013 - Updated 05:04 UTC

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