Meltdown!: The Nuclear Disaster in Japan and Our Energy Future

Japan. March 11, 2011. 2:46 P.M. The biggest earthquake in Japan's history-and one of the world's five most powerful since 1900-devastated the Tohoku region, 320 kilometers (200 miles) northeast of Tokyo. It triggered a huge tsunami that left crippling damage in its wake. More than 13,000 people drowned, and thousands of buildings and homes were reduced to rubble.

As people assessed the damage, they made the most frightening discovery of all: the Fukushima #1 nuclear power plant was seriously damaged and three of its six reactors were heading for meltdowns. Workers tried desperately-but unsuccessfully-to save them. Explosions and fires released radioactivity into the air. Within days the Japanese government declared a 20-kilometer (12-mile) evacuation zone. The future of the plant, the long-term health of those exposed to radiation, and the effects on the environment remained uncertain.

Learn more about this massive catastrophe as Dr. Fred Bortz examines both the human tragedy and the scientific implications of the nuclear meltdown. Compare this disaster to similar nuclear events in the United States and in Ukraine, and move ahead with Dr. Bortz as he explores the global debate about the future of nuclear power and alternative sources of energy.

1112344549
Meltdown!: The Nuclear Disaster in Japan and Our Energy Future

Japan. March 11, 2011. 2:46 P.M. The biggest earthquake in Japan's history-and one of the world's five most powerful since 1900-devastated the Tohoku region, 320 kilometers (200 miles) northeast of Tokyo. It triggered a huge tsunami that left crippling damage in its wake. More than 13,000 people drowned, and thousands of buildings and homes were reduced to rubble.

As people assessed the damage, they made the most frightening discovery of all: the Fukushima #1 nuclear power plant was seriously damaged and three of its six reactors were heading for meltdowns. Workers tried desperately-but unsuccessfully-to save them. Explosions and fires released radioactivity into the air. Within days the Japanese government declared a 20-kilometer (12-mile) evacuation zone. The future of the plant, the long-term health of those exposed to radiation, and the effects on the environment remained uncertain.

Learn more about this massive catastrophe as Dr. Fred Bortz examines both the human tragedy and the scientific implications of the nuclear meltdown. Compare this disaster to similar nuclear events in the United States and in Ukraine, and move ahead with Dr. Bortz as he explores the global debate about the future of nuclear power and alternative sources of energy.

16.99 In Stock
Meltdown!: The Nuclear Disaster in Japan and Our Energy Future

Meltdown!: The Nuclear Disaster in Japan and Our Energy Future

by Fred Bortz

Narrated by Intuitive

Unabridged — 1 hours, 8 minutes

Meltdown!: The Nuclear Disaster in Japan and Our Energy Future

Meltdown!: The Nuclear Disaster in Japan and Our Energy Future

by Fred Bortz

Narrated by Intuitive

Unabridged — 1 hours, 8 minutes

Audiobook (Digital)

$16.99
FREE With a B&N Audiobooks Subscription | Cancel Anytime
$0.00

Free with a B&N Audiobooks Subscription | Cancel Anytime

$19.99 Save 15% Current price is $16.99, Original price is $19.99. You Save 15%.
START FREE TRIAL

Already Subscribed? 

Sign in to Your BN.com Account


Listen on the free Barnes & Noble NOOK app


Related collections and offers

FREE

with a B&N Audiobooks Subscription

Or Pay $16.99 $19.99

Overview

Japan. March 11, 2011. 2:46 P.M. The biggest earthquake in Japan's history-and one of the world's five most powerful since 1900-devastated the Tohoku region, 320 kilometers (200 miles) northeast of Tokyo. It triggered a huge tsunami that left crippling damage in its wake. More than 13,000 people drowned, and thousands of buildings and homes were reduced to rubble.

As people assessed the damage, they made the most frightening discovery of all: the Fukushima #1 nuclear power plant was seriously damaged and three of its six reactors were heading for meltdowns. Workers tried desperately-but unsuccessfully-to save them. Explosions and fires released radioactivity into the air. Within days the Japanese government declared a 20-kilometer (12-mile) evacuation zone. The future of the plant, the long-term health of those exposed to radiation, and the effects on the environment remained uncertain.

Learn more about this massive catastrophe as Dr. Fred Bortz examines both the human tragedy and the scientific implications of the nuclear meltdown. Compare this disaster to similar nuclear events in the United States and in Ukraine, and move ahead with Dr. Bortz as he explores the global debate about the future of nuclear power and alternative sources of energy.


Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"In this book, the orange-alert color scheme, frequent use of adaptations of the radiation symbol, and abundance of exclamation marks give a first impression of urgency. Soon, though, the reader is able to calm down and realize that this thin book is packed with facts necessary to make informed choices, and there is no need to panic. The subtitle serves as an overview of the book. The recounting of the disaster in Japan is a compelling opening for adiscussion of available energy sources. The step-by-step sequence of events, from earthquake to tsunami to nuclear emergency, leads into the power choices to be made now and in the future, with benefits and drawbacks explored.

Besides the table of contents and index, there is also a brief glossary and a list of source notes organized by page number, but not footnoted in the text. A selected bibliography is included, as well as a further reading booklist and a short list of websites. Free educational resources are available for download at a companion publisher website." --VOYA

School Library Journal

Gr 5–9—This title covers the nuclear disaster at Fukushima from the first tremor of the Great Tohoku Earthquake to the aftermath of the meltdown. Bortz uses the present tense to engage readers though this sometimes makes the narrative difficult to follow. A short history and detailed description of nuclear power is full of scientific explanations that can be daunting to readers unfamiliar with the concepts, but the information is valuable. The author also examines the nuclear disasters at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Although some topics are discussed in great detail, others, such as the harm caused by radiation, are glossed over. The last chapter tackles the question of what this recent incident means for our energy future, providing a look at several options but leaning heavily toward properly planned and regulated nuclear plants as the answer. Full-color photographs and detailed diagrams appear on each spread. Purchase widely for the timeliness of the topic, but make sure you have a variety of alternative energy books on your shelves to go with it.—Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN

Kirkus Reviews

A physicist examines the latest nuclear disaster and its ramifications for the world's energy future. On March 11, 2011, at 2:46 p.m., the biggest earthquake in Japan's history hit the Tohoku region, northeast of Tokyo. A wall of water as high as 128 feet and 110 miles wide surged onto the closest land, damaging or destroying more than 125,000 buildings. Thirty thousand people were killed, injured or missing, and more bad news was to come: Three nuclear reactors were about to undergo meltdowns. Using the disaster as a case study to examine how earthquakes, tsunamis and nuclear reactors work, Bortz offers a clearly written volume, nicely embellished with photographs, maps and diagrams. All lead into the key question: "Why would any government take the risk of using nuclear power?" In a straightforward, dispassionate tone, he proceeds to answer his own question and lay out the potential of other energy options--hydroelectric, wind, geothermal and solar. Given the catastrophe that spawned this volume, the discussion is curiously non-alarmist, telling young readers that future energy decisions are theirs to make and that wise choices rooted in solid information will be crucial. Regardless of tone, this clear and wide-ranging introduction to essential energy issues has much to offer. (glossary, source notes, bibliography, further reading, websites, index, author's note) (Nonfiction. 11-18)

Product Details

BN ID: 2940170077120
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date: 01/01/2017
Series: Nonfiction - Young Adult
Edition description: Unabridged
Age Range: 12 - 17 Years
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews