The earthquake that hit Japan was many times more powerful than the worst possible earthquake the Fukushima nuclear power plant was meant to withstand when it was first being constructed. Like the Chernobyl accident in 1986, it shared a maximum level seven rating on the scale of nuclear disasters. However, some scientists have spoken out and said that Fukushima was much worse than Chernobyl had been. (http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/08/03/fukushima-disaster-exposed-far-worse-than-a-nuclear-bomb/).
Even though Japan is a country that has suffered and recovered from more harmful manmade – and natural – catastrophes, it is the aftermath at the Fukushima nuclear power plant 40 kilometers down the coast from Soma that has pushed the people of Japan into unknown territory. On March 11 of 2011, that 9.0 earthquake in Japan lead to small explosions at the nuclear plant leading to higher than normal (or safe) radiation levels.
Men, women and children were all checked for radiation levels
When the earthquake first hit, nuclear reactors automatically shutdown. Not only that but since the power plant had automatically shut down, it needs assistance in producing electricity. Within an hour after the earthquake hit, the electricity that was needed was provided by multiple emergency diesel power generators. After the tsunami arrived along the coast however, those diesel power generators were flooded and were ruined in the process. After reactors at the nuclear power plant had failed along with the coolants, higher than normal radiation levels were detected. Many scientists said the plant had released 15,000 terabecquerels of cancer-causing Cesium, equivalent to about 168 times the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the event that ushered in the nuclear age.
Within 19 miles of the plant, all residents were told to stay inside their homes and seal themselves off as protection in case the levels raised to an alarmingly high level. (http://www.npr.org/2011/03/15/134552919/stunned-japan-struggles-to-bind-its-wounds). Workers who had protective suits on were rotating in and out of the building trying to get the reactors cooled down to try to fix the situation. However, a lot of residents who stayed inside were left with little to no food and water and absolutely no electricity.
Months later, officials declared the reactors were stable again because their temperatures have been consistent for the last few months following the disaster. It could take up to January to cool down the rods so that inspection of the system can be done to determine the exact cause and problems. (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/why-the-fukushima-disaster-is-worse-than-chernobyl-2345542.html).