core meltdown
Nuclear fuel failure
A core meltdown is the catastrophic failure of a nuclear reactor when cooling systems fail and the radioactive fuel overheats, melting through its containment.
The term evokes disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima.
Figuratively, any complete institutional or personal collapse: The company experienced a core meltdown after the scandal broke.
- nuclearOf atomic energy
- nuclear accidentUncontrolled reactor failure
- reactorControlled fission apparatus
- control roomFacility housing operational oversight
- ChernobylSoviet nuclear disaster site
Fukushima · radiation · meltdown · catastrophe · containment · fuel · rods · coolant · explosion · fallout · radioactive waste · evacuation · hazmat · siren · panic · breach · emergency shutdown · overheating
- Nuclear EventsChernobyl, Fukushima, Three Mile Island, meltdown, partial meltdown
- nuclear reactorscontrol rods, fuel rods, nuclear fuel, coolant system, moderator