Fukushima: Robot captures first images of melted nuclear fuel
What's the story
The first images of what is believed to be the melted nuclear fuel deposits inside Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant have been captured by an underwater robot.
The images show large amounts of solidified lava-shaped rocks and lumps in layers under the plant's unit three reactor.
If confirmed, the images represent a significant milestone in the clean-up operation.
Background
Fukushima disaster worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl
In 2011, the Fukushima Daiichi power plant was hit by a tsunami causing the most serious nuclear accident since Chernobyl.
Over 200,000 were evacuated from their homes over concerns that flooding of the three reactors could cause nuclear contamination.
The tsunami killed over 18,500 people. However, the Fukushima disaster did not directly cause any deaths.
The damaged reactors still contain highly contaminated parts.
Details
Images may be of reactor's control rods, pressure vessel
Robotics are playing a major role in locating the fuel debris, crucial to the decommissioning process, which will likely take decades.
The images could show the reactor's control roads and pressure vessel.
"There is a high possibility that the solidified objects are mixtures of melted metal and fuel that fell from the vessel," said Tepco, the company operating the plant about the latest finding.
Information
Tepco needs time to analyze photos of debris
The recent images were captured by a small, remote-controlled underwater robot nicknamed "Little Sunfish" after a three-day investigation. Tepco said it needs more time to analyze the photos of the debris.