# Terrorist Attack on a Nuclear Power Plant **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 18, 2001, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-attack-on-a-nuclear-power-plant/82480 "2001-09-18T23:03:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ripple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@Ripple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ripple)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-attack-on-a-nuclear-power-plant/82480/1 "2001-09-18T23:03:14Z")
Howdy Folks. What would the effects of a terrorist attack on a nuclear power plant be? Presuming it was a similar attack to the recent NYC/DC tragedys, would there be a nuclear reaction which would devestate the surrounding area? My inital though is that while it would be a horendous act, there would be no specific nuclear ramifications, but since I don’t really know, I figured I’d ask. I would really appreciate hearing from somebody who might have some insight for me. ---
**Author:** ![Ripple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@Ripple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ripple)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-attack-on-a-nuclear-power-plant/82480/2 "2001-09-18T23:05:35Z")
1,000 pardons for the terrible spelling in my original question. Let’s try again: Howdy Folks. What would the effects of a terrorist attack on a nuclear power plant be? Presuming it was a similar attack to the recent NYC/DC tragedies, would there be a nuclear reaction which would devastate the surrounding area? My initial though is that while it would be a horrendous act, there would be no specific nuclear ramifications, but since I don’t really know, I figured I’d ask. I would really appreciate hearing from somebody who might have some insight for me. ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-attack-on-a-nuclear-power-plant/82480/3 "2001-09-18T23:12:56Z")
Your initial thought is correct. It would not be possible to turn a nuclear power plant into a nuclear bomb. The damage caused by a nuclear accident depends on the amount of radioactive material that is liberated from the core, and how it is distributed in the ecosphere. Neither releasing a large amount of radioactivity, nor distributing it widely, would be possible using any kind of terrorist attack I can think of, short of hitting it with a nuclear weapon. A higher toll of death and injury can be achieved much more easily by bombing poorly-defended populated areas. However, a higher fear-factor could be achieved by hitting a power station, so such action may be desirable from a terrorist’s point of view. ---
**Author:** ![Arjuna34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Arjuna34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arjuna34)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-attack-on-a-nuclear-power-plant/82480/4 "2001-09-18T23:19:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hibernicus \* > \*\* Neither releasing a large amount of radioactivity, nor distributing it widely, would be possible using any kind of terrorist attack I can think of, short of hitting it with a nuclear weapon. > \*\* Is this true even if you assume an inside job? For example, if terrorists infiltrate the system by getting several key jobs at a plant, then one day blowing away other key people, allowing them free reign inside? Arjuna34 ---
**Author:** ![Psi\_Cop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@Psi\_Cop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Psi_Cop)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-attack-on-a-nuclear-power-plant/82480/5 "2001-09-18T23:20:42Z")
Well, if it was exactly like the WTC and Pentagon attacks, it would presumably involve slamming a plane into the containment dome. While I don’t have any specific cites available to back this up, everything I’ve read about power plant attacks says that the containment dome is designed to withstand the impact of a fully loaded Boeing 747. I think the plant could be safely shut down without disaster, even if someone DID slam a plane into it. -Psi Cop