Nuclear Disaster and Human Geoscience

Abstract

The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, Japan, led to core meltdowns of the nuclear power generators at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). A large amount of radioactive material was released into the environment, and consequently, anökumene got deposited in the ground of Fukushima. By observing ongoing nuclear disasters from the perspective of refugees, the relationship between science and society can be better understood. Focusing on the Yamakiya district, one of the former evacuation areas, we describe the situation before and after the accident. A detailed map of dose rate was created using a ground-based survey in the range of livelihood. To attain reconstruction of the Yamakiya district as a mountain village, an understanding of the relationship between life and nature is necessary. We describe this relationship from the standpoint of miner subsistence and then consider measures taken against radioactivity and necessary items to restore daily life. Finally, we propose an idea of restoration based on an understanding of both human and natural dimensions originating from the regional and temporal characteristics of the Yamakiya district.