IAEA Latest Update on April 11 Earthquake

Following is the update issued by UN atomic watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on April 11 earthquake in Japan.

The IAEA confirmed that an earthquake occurred in Japan at 08:16 UTC 11th April. The IAEA International Seismic Safety Centre has rated it as a 6.6 magnitude, revised from an initial 7.1 magnitude.

The epicenter of the earthquake is 68 km from Daichi, 60 km from Daini, 61 km from Tokai 173 km from Kashiwazaki-Kariwa and 179 km from Onagawa power plants. The epicenter was in land (37.01 N/ 140.48 E) at a depth of 13.1 km.

Fukushima Daiichi Plant Status

The IAEA has been in contact with Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA). Based on a report by TEPCO, NISA confirms that no changes have been observed on the readings at the on-site radiation monitoring posts at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Workers have been evacuated to the seismic evacuation shelter. Off-site power was lost and water injection pumps for Units 1, 2 and 3 stopped. NISA confirmed later that off-site power was restored and water injection resumed 50 minutes after the earthquake.

Overall, the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains very serious but there are early signs of recovery in some functions such as electrical power and instrumentation.

Fukushima Daini Plant

NISA confirms that no changes have been observed on the readings at the on-site radiation monitoring posts and that off-site power remained available.

Onagawa Plant

The five off-site power lines remain available. No changes have been observed on the readings at the on-site radiation monitoring posts.

Tokai Daini Plant

Tokai Daini nuclear power plant remains in cold shutdown since the 11 March earthquake. No abnormality has been observed.