Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
china-syndrome
Noun
/ˌtʃaɪ.nə ˈsɪn.droʊm/
Definition
A hypothetical nuclear accident scenario in which a reactor meltdown could lead to the destruction of the earth.
Examples
- The concept of the ‘china-syndrome’ sparked widespread fear after the popular movie in the 1970s.
- Many safety protocols have been developed to prevent a ‘china-syndrome’ type scenario in nuclear plants.
Meaning
The term refers to a situation where nuclear reactor core material melts through the reactor vessel and into the ground, theoretically leading to catastrophic consequences.
Synonyms
- Nuclear meltdown
- Nuclear disaster
