Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the meltdown at the Chernobyl nuclear plant. Check out this scary film showing scientists venturing inside the plant's cement sarcophagus, which keeps its nuclear material contained - for the moment.

 

Last month, I posted this is what a meltdown looks like, a rare silent film that as taken on location just days after the Chernobyl meltdown- even the filmmaker was killed in the process. Also, I urge you to read this interview with a Chernobyl survivor as it relates to the nuclear crisis at Fukushima.

Check Grist's shocking list of things happening today at Chernobyl:

 

• What's the ecology of Chernobyl today? Some wildlife has returned, but there are fewer animals and less biodiversity than elsewhere, and they're still being affected by the fallout: In high-radiation "hot spots," birds have five percent smaller brains, says Agence France-Presse.
• Especially orange birds. Really.
• As for the human impact, there are five families still living in nearby Redkovka. Family ties and commitment to their roots kept them there when everyone else abandoned the area. The New York Times has images of this very, very lonely village.
• Ukraine is trying like hell to reinvent Chernobyl as a tourist attraction, says the Atlantic -- and it's actually sort of working.
• The Big Picture has collected stunning photographs from the accident and its aftermath.
• There have been anti-nuclear demonstrations worldwide today -- Boing Boing has a list.

 

 

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