Unclear Security - Page 17

Nick · 2020-06-27, 20:59

Various northern European countries are reporting slightly increased levels of caesium 134 & 137, cobalt 60 and ruthenium 103 in the air.
(The reports I have seen so far are only in local languages, not in English.)

kladner · 2020-06-28, 02:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick

Various northern European countries are reporting slightly increased levels of caesium 134 & 137, cobalt 60 and ruthenium 103 in the air.
(The reports I have seen so far are only in local languages, not in English.)

Do prevailing winds suggest possible sources? Are these likely fission products? They seem to be on the exotic side.

Nick · 2020-06-28, 07:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by kladner

Do prevailing winds suggest possible sources? Are these likely fission products? They seem to be on the exotic side.

They are certainly human-made.
The Dutch authorities currently think it may come from a damaged fuel rod at a nucelar power plant.
They say the data so far suggest somewhere in or around the Baltic sea as a possibility,
but they do noy have enough measurements to be sure.
There is now a tweet in English:
https://twitter.com/SinaZerbo/status...731153921?s=20

kladner · 2020-06-28, 15:48

Thanks, Nick. So the situation is not seriously threatening as things appear right now.

Nick · 2020-06-28, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by kladner

Thanks, Nick. So the situation is not seriously threatening as things appear right now.

No, just a bit odd so far.

Russia says there has been no leak from their plants
BBC article: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53214259

Xyzzy · 2021-05-07, 12:28

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57011695

Dr Sardonicus · 2021-05-07, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57011695

Hmm, sounds like the Ukrainian authorities are engaging in what we in the good ol' USA call a "shakedown."

I imagine the officials responsible could simply claim they "mistook" valid UK excise stamps for forged Ukrainian excise stamps.

If that legal ground gives way, perhaps they will then use the obvious misprint on the label ("frompples" instead of "from apples") as a pretext for confiscating and "destroying" the whole truckload.

MattcAnderson · 2022-01-13, 12:59

Our Union of Concerned Scientists have a website -

https://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear-weapons

I found an interesting website. It is about Union of Concerned Scientists in USA, and I looked
under nuclear weapons. I learned that our world has about 9,000 nuclear warheads at this time
This is a scary fact. Our human race has the ability to wipe out mankind in a day. At least USA and Russia have reduced their nuclear arsenal since the cold war has ended.

Total thermo-nuclear destruction would be a bad day for everybody. Maybe only the
cockroaches would survive.

We have to trust our top brass and our leaders. They are the ones who make the hard war decisions.

Let's hope that cooler minds prevail and humanity survives for many generations to come.

Maybe you have heard of the 'peacekeeper' missile. It was designed to never be used.
The concept of Mutually Assured Destruction is not desirable for a sane government.

I have not read everyone's post, but I value your input.

Regards,
Matt

xilman · 2022-01-13, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattcAnderson

This is a scary fact. Our human race has the ability to wipe out mankind in a day. At least USA and Russia have reduced their nuclear arsenal since the cold war has ended.

Total thermo-nuclear destruction would be a bad day for everybody. Maybe only the
cockroaches would survive.

While it may well ruin your whole day, it most assuredly will not wipe out mankind.

We are just too widespread and too resourceful.

kriesel · 2022-01-13, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by xilman

We are just too widespread and too resourceful.

The most invasive species known. All continents, most islands, plus low earth orbit and rare jaunts to Luna and back. So far. But I don't like our odds as large warmblooded terrestrial vertebrates with little fur in events such as this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permia...tinction_event

Dr Sardonicus · 2022-01-13, 16:30

There were a lot more nuclear weapons around when I was growing up than there are now.

I'm sure a thermonuclear war would ruin a lot, or perhaps even most of our modern technical civilization, but it wouldn't wipe out humanity, let alone mammals, birds, etc.

I don't know what the status of the theory of "nuclear winter" is, but if it's still considered viable, a thermonuclear war might give a respite from global warming.

I note that, after the 2020 election, the US military top brass felt the need to consider seriously what to do if the President ordered a nuclear strike as, perhaps, a way to throw a temper tantrum.

I recall having read or heard that the US was prepared to use nuclear-tipped cruise missiles in Operation Desert Storm if Saddam Hussein used chemical or biological weapons.

At this point, I'm more concerned about "tactical" nuclear weapons that "strategic" ones.

And at this point, I'm more concerned about what the leadership of Russia might do than what the US might do, regarding the use of nuclear weapons.

2022-01-13, 12:59	#184
MattcAnderson "Matthew Anderson" Dec 2010 Oregon, USA 2250₈ Posts	many future generations Our Union of Concerned Scientists have a website - https://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear-weapons I found an interesting website. It is about Union of Concerned Scientists in USA, and I looked under nuclear weapons. I learned that our world has about 9,000 nuclear warheads at this time This is a scary fact. Our human race has the ability to wipe out mankind in a day. At least USA and Russia have reduced their nuclear arsenal since the cold war has ended. Total thermo-nuclear destruction would be a bad day for everybody. Maybe only the cockroaches would survive. We have to trust our top brass and our leaders. They are the ones who make the hard war decisions. Let's hope that cooler minds prevail and humanity survives for many generations to come. Maybe you have heard of the 'peacekeeper' missile. It was designed to never be used. The concept of Mutually Assured Destruction is not desirable for a sane government. I have not read everyone's post, but I value your input. Regards, Matt

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2020-06-27, 20:59	#177
Nick Dec 2012 The Netherlands 2·5·181 Posts	Various northern European countries are reporting slightly increased levels of caesium 134 & 137, cobalt 60 and ruthenium 103 in the air. (The reports I have seen so far are only in local languages, not in English.)

2020-06-28, 15:48	#180
kladner "Kieren" Jul 2011 In My Own Galaxy! 2·3·1,693 Posts	Thanks, Nick. So the situation is not seriously threatening as things appear right now.

2021-05-07, 12:28	#182
Xyzzy Aug 2002 43·199 Posts	https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57011695

2022-01-13, 16:30	#187
Dr Sardonicus Feb 2017 Nowhere 1100001010101₂ Posts	There were a lot more nuclear weapons around when I was growing up than there are now. I'm sure a thermonuclear war would ruin a lot, or perhaps even most of our modern technical civilization, but it wouldn't wipe out humanity, let alone mammals, birds, etc. I don't know what the status of the theory of "nuclear winter" is, but if it's still considered viable, a thermonuclear war might give a respite from global warming. I note that, after the 2020 election, the US military top brass felt the need to consider seriously what to do if the President ordered a nuclear strike as, perhaps, a way to throw a temper tantrum. I recall having read or heard that the US was prepared to use nuclear-tipped cruise missiles in Operation Desert Storm if Saddam Hussein used chemical or biological weapons. At this point, I'm more concerned about "tactical" nuclear weapons that "strategic" ones. And at this point, I'm more concerned about what the leadership of Russia might do than what the US might do, regarding the use of nuclear weapons.