Within the desolate confines of Chernobyl, five objects loom, shrouded in a lethal aura. From the remnants of the reactor's core to the 'Elephant's Foot', these are the most radioactive relics of humanity's worst nuclear disaster. Each silent sentinel tells a chilling tale of unchecked power and its enduring consequences.
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| Sean Gallup / Getty |
1. Graphite Blocks.
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The core of the Chernobyl reactor was lined with graphite blocks, which were used as moderators to control the nuclear reaction. These blocks were heavily contaminated during the explosion and subsequent fire, making them radioactive. While they emit significant radiation, they are not as radioactive as some other objects found in Chernobyl.
2. Remnants of Reactor Core.
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Pieces of the reactor core itself, such as fuel rods, control rods, and other components, are highly radioactive. These materials were directly involved in the nuclear reaction and were extensively contaminated during the meltdown. They emit high levels of radiation and pose a significant hazard to human health.
3. Corium.
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| Corium lava flowing out a safety valve - Forbes.com |
The molten nuclear fuel, along with concrete and other materials, formed a highly radioactive mass known as corium. This corium flowed through the reactor building during the meltdown and eventually solidified into large, highly radioactive formations. These corium formations are among radioactive objects in Chernobyl and are extremely hazardous to approach.
4. Fuel Debris.
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| A view of the Chernobyl power station after the explosion on April 26, 1986, Ukraine. Shone/Gamma-Rapho/Getty |
Fragments of nuclear fuel and other reactor components, collectively known as fuel debris, are scattered throughout the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. These debris pieces are highly radioactive and can emit intense radiation. They are a significant challenge for cleanup and containment efforts in the area.
5. "Elephant's Foot".
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| The infamous "Elephant's Foot" in Chernobyl Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group / Getty Images |
The "Elephant's Foot" is a particularly infamous and highly radioactive mass of corium, concrete and other materials located in the basement f the Chernobyl plant. It formed shortly after the meltdown and is one of the most radioactive objects in Chernobyl. approaching the "Elephant's Foot" without adequate protection would result in fatal radiation doses in an incredibly short period of time. At the moment of its discovery, roughly eight months post-formation, the radiation levels of the "Elephant's Foot" measured approximately 8,000 to 10,000 roentgens, equivalent to 80 to 100 grays per hour. Exposure at this rate would administer a lethal dose of radiation (4.5 grays) within 5 minutes.
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