Tsunami Drill

Oh yeah. I forgot to mention that there is a tsunami drill on this morning.

Radiation levels in Numazu Shizuoka – Appear Reasonably Safe

Radiation levels have risen due to the crisis of the nuclear reactors in the Miyagi Prefecture after the Sendai Earthquake.

According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan radiation levels in the Shizuoka, while higher than average, are currently not a risk.

Levels today for Shizuoka were reported to be between 0.089 μGy/h (millirems per hour) and 0.062 μGy/h with and average of o.o62 μGy/h.

So are we safe from the harmful effects of radiation here in Numazu?

The current US occupational limit of exposure per year is 5000 microsievert . Extrapolated down to an average hourly rate over a year you are looking at 0.0570 μGy/h.  That is a little lower that Shizuoka’s average today but remember you would need to be exposed to that every day for a year before you would be over the US limit. There is no indication to suggest that this level of exposure will continue over a prolonged period of time.

The average radiation levels for Shizuoka is between 0.0281 to 0.0765 μGy/h.

So everything appears to be fairly safe so far. No third eyes or superpowers to report yet.

References:

MIT news

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.(copied and translated page)

A cool site with information on radiation levels for Tokyo.

Japan times article from yesterday.

Comments and corrections welcome.

18 Mar 2011 – The Australian Radiation and Nuclear Protection agency supported by The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have extended their exclusion zone for Australians to 80km from the Fukushima Nulear Power Plant.  Numazu is about 360km from the plant.

19 Mar 2011 – The ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology have updated their radiation reading for the past few days. For the Shizuoka Prefecture levels have averaged to 0.038μGy/h which rests at almost midway for the average levels in Shizuoka prior to the Nuclear Reactor Crisis. This suggest that levels may be returning to normal.

20 Mar 2011- The ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology have published their radiations readings for yesterday. For Shizuoka Prefecture the levels have again averages at around 0.038μGy/h. This about average for the year.

This is a link to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA)  latest update on the nuclear situation. It discusses agriculture, the current handling of the damaged reactors and radiation monitoring.

Impress you partner and make the earth move for them on the weekend.

Hey studs and beauties, do you think you can make the earth move for your special someone? Well I am about to give you a chance to let your lover know you can. The best part is that your beloved Numazu will be you wingman or woman for this.

Here is how:

On Saturday the 29 August at 9:30am, an earthquake alarm will sound in Numazu as part of their annual earthquake preparedness drill. Now if you are the lover we have heard you are, you may well be able to time things just right…to inform your partner about what you need to do in case of an earthquake and how best to prepare for it.

There will also be an early warning for the drill that will be broadcasted over the city speakers at 6:50am just to get you in the mood.  And then at 8:30am there will be a warning that the actual earthquake is coming (pun not intended, then revised, self congratulated and fully intended).

After you two love birds have spend the rest of the morning in each others arms under the sheets reading the earth quake preparedness manual to each other, another alarm will sound at 12:00 that all has ended and it is time to make some breakfast before a romantic afternoon shopping for earthquake supplies. Your lover will be so impressed that they will be telling all their friends about you.

Well done you Lotharios and minxes. I knew you could do it!

Scott.

You can find out more about the drill here. And here is the link for the Earthquake Disaster Prevention Guidebook.

Oh and here is a little something to get you in the mood.

Earthquake and Tsunami wipe out Numazu; Don’t panic.

Feel like getting woken up at 8:30 in the morning to the sound of disaster sirens and then spend the next hour or so being reminded why you were rudely woken from your dreams by yet more alarms and voices. Well, today is your lucky day. Yes folks, today is earthquake disaster drill day for Numazu.

Fortunately for me I was awake when it all started. Though I really felt for those of our ilk who went out on the ran tan last night.

The responsibility for this carefully constructed earthquake exercise is none other than the Disaster Prevention and Earthquake Protection Division (though I am not sure why they wish to protect earthquakes). This day helps emergency planners and energetic families prepare themselves for the potential event of an earthquake. While today’s activities kicked off with an unnaturally early start it is a reminder for all of us living in Numazu to prepare for the event of an earthquake.

Numazu is particularly prone to earthquakes existing on the junction of three tectonic plates. Indeed there have been warnings of a large earthquake and subsequent tsunami that is well overdue to hit the Numazu area.

You can find out more about Emergence preparation by going to the Numazu City Hall’s website here. You can also check out the latest information about the current Earthquake drill in the August 15 issue of the Numazu Newsletter. Lastly you can get a great glossy earthquake guidebook from City Hall.

Surfs up!

Scott