Chernobyl dome to contain radiation

The Chernobyl reactor – scene of the world’s worst nuclear disaster 30 years ago – is being entombed in a giant steel shelter. The $2.2 billion New Safe Confinement project is due for completion in 2017, replacing the crumbling concrete sarcophagus erected after the accident

Apr 26, 1986: Powersurge in No. 4 reactor  causes explosions,destroying core and blowing off building roof. Radioactive cloud causes 4,000 cancer deaths in Ukraine, Belarus,Russia and Europe

Apr 26-May 9: Helicopters drop thousands of tonnes of lead and sand to smother fires

Reactor core

Plant’s other three reactors shut down in 2000

NSC built in sections and slid into place on
teflon-coated rails

Multiple-layer end walls will seal NSC around plant building and sarcophagus to prevent radiation spewing from site for next 100 years

No. 3 reactor building

No. 4 reactor building

Turbine hall

Chernobyl

Sarcophagus Hastily built following accident – still contains 95% of radioactive material from
No. 4 reactor

New Safe Confinement

Weight: 31,000 tonnes

Arch span: 275m

Height: 150m

Length: 150m

NSC will be largest moveable structure ever built

Sources: WHO, Novarka