The Chernobyl, Fukushima Daiichi and Deepwater Horizon Disasters from a Natural Science and Humanities Perspective

The laws of nature are used in our imaginations to benefit mankind, but disasters like Chernobyl, Fukushima, and the Deepwater Horizon have challenged this world view. Is it human error or technical failure? Approaches from the natural sciences and humanities are presented to answer this question.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 02 July 2022
Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. KG

In our day-to-day imaginations, we harness the boundless potential of nature's laws to serve the betterment of humanity. However, the catastrophic events of Chernobyl (26 April 1986), Fukushima Daichii (11 March 2011), and the explosion of the drilling platform Deepwater Horizon (20 April 2010) in the Gulf of Mexico have cast doubt on this optimistic perspective. Who is responsible for this development? Is it the result of human error or technical failure? To unravel the answer, we explore approaches from both the natural sciences and the humanities.

The Chernobyl disaster, which occurred on 26 April 1986, was one of the most devastating nuclear accidents in history. The reactor core melted, leading to a massive explosion that released deadly radiation into the atmosphere. The incident resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and caused widespread environmental damage.

Fukushima Daichii, on the other hand, was a nuclear disaster that occurred in Japan in 2011. A tsunami caused a power outage at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, leading to three reactor meltdowns and the release of radioactive material into the environment. The incident caused widespread panic and led to the evacuation of thousands of people.

The Deepwater Horizon explosion was a petroleum drilling rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The explosion resulted in the deaths of 11 workers and caused a massive oil spill that affected the coastline of several states. The incident raised concerns about the safety of offshore drilling and the regulation of the oil industry.

These catastrophic events have shaken our world view and raised questions about the safety and reliability of our technological systems. They have prompted a re-examination of our relationship with nature and the impact of human activity on the environment.

From a natural science perspective, these events can be explained through the principles of physics and engineering. The Chernobyl disaster, for example, was caused by a combination of human error and technical failure. The reactor design was flawed, and the operators failed to follow proper safety procedures, leading to the meltdown. The Fukushima Daichii disaster was also caused by a combination of human error and technical failure. The tsunami caused the power outage, which led to the meltdowns, and the plant's emergency response system was inadequate. The Deepwater Horizon explosion was caused by a combination of human error and technical failure. The workers failed to follow proper safety procedures, and the rig's design was flawed, leading to the explosion.

From a humanities perspective, these events can be understood through the lens of cultural and social factors. The Chernobyl disaster, for example, was deeply influenced by the Soviet government's ideology of technological progress and the disregard for safety. The Fukushima Daichii disaster was influenced by Japan's culture of obedience and the fear of nuclear power. The Deepwater Horizon explosion was influenced by the oil industry's pursuit of profits and the lack of regulation.

In conclusion, the catastrophic events of Chernobyl, Fukushima Daichii, and the Deepwater Horizon explosion have challenged our world view and raised important questions about the safety and reliability of our technological systems. While these events can be explained through the principles of natural science, they can also be understood through the lens of cultural and social factors. It is essential that we continue to explore these issues and work towards a more sustainable and responsible relationship with nature.

Weight: 343g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783662653180
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022