In a nuclear power plant nuclear fuel rods release heat, which is used to heat water, generate steam and run turbines to generate electricity.
The process can be controlled by synchronizing Boron control rods, fuel rod placement and coolant. If one or more of these factors fail, then the reactor can overheat to extremely high temperatures.
In a nuclear reactor meltdown, the nuclear fuel rods become hot enough to melt, forming a pool of very hot radioactive material.
Consequences may include:
(1) a nuclear explosion
(2) a steam explosion if water comes in contact
(3) overpressurizaton within the containment vessel until it ruptures
(4) melting of the containment vessel
Once the containtment vessel is breached then radioactive material can be released into the air, soil or ground water.
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