Comments on: A Major Quake Could Release Plutonium From Los Alamos Lab

By: Brian Too

Brian Too — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:24:11 +0000

I sure don’t think of New Mexico as being a major quake zone. California is on the ring of fire and is at high risk, but New Mexico? They are well inside the continental plate and should be pretty stable geologically. Although I have heard of interior plate faults somewhere–supposedly they produce rare but high magnitude quakes. I don’t understand the mechanism at all.

Anyhow they identified a risk and mitigating steps were taken. It doesn’t make me feel good that LANL is on a fault line but you measure the risks and make your choices.

By: I wouldn't worry either

I wouldn't worry either — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:45:21 +0000

Remember that “a fault beneath the lab” might reside anywhere in the 10 square miles covered by the lab. The referenced facility is NOT built ON a fault –but close enough that they have some concern. I think that ultimately, you will find that the risk is overestimated, as suggested by the previous poster. I am betting you won’t see an article describing the complete analysis and actual (infinitesimal) risk. I’ll give you a suggestion for minimizing your risk — don’t drive anywhere. Humans are incredibly bad at REAL risk analysis.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:30:03 +0000

And thats the difference between pie and cake!

By: Not to worry

Not to worry — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:54:28 +0000

The defense board is notorious for trumping up crises. You have to realize that all of this is based on probabilities of a high magnitude earthquake occurring. The probability is extremely small. Try once every few thousand years and even that is based on nothing but a guess from geologists. Remember geologists were the guys that refused to believe in plate tectonics until the 1960’s. You are much more likely to die on your way to work or school than from any type of plutonium accident at Los Alamos. Let’s look at it another way. If you’re going to get upset about fault lines then why don’t we consider the fact that the whole western United States is vulnerable to destruction by the vast Yellowstone volcano? The last time it blew was 600,000 years ago with a frequency of 600,000 years. It’s due! Last time it went it dumped ash to a depth of 60 feet in MISSOURI! What are we doing about this imminent threat? Nothing. Remember there are lies, damn lies, and statistics and behind all of it are some lavishly inept government bureaucrats trying to justify their existence.

By: Smell my finger

Smell my finger — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:49:33 +0000

On top of a fault line!

“a rupture..could be more damaging than previously thought” How minimal did they think damage would be on a fault line? Was it the same maroons that built the dykes around New Orleans?

By: ed kaunelis

ed kaunelis — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:25:58 +0000

Now we have one more thing to worry about. Ignorance is bliss?????

By: Barney

Barney — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:27:37 +0000

And people say Iran can’t be trusted with nuclear technology….