Hydrogen explosions[edit]

As workers struggled to supply power to the reactors' coolant systems and restore power to
their control rooms, a number of hydrogen-air chemical explosions occurred, the first in Unit 1 on 12
March, and the last in Unit 4, on 15 March.[46][49][50] It is estimated that the hot zirconium fuel cladding-
water reaction in Reactors 1–3 produced 800–1,000 kg (1,800–2,200 lb) of hydrogen gas each. The
pressurized gas was vented out of the reactor pressure vessel where it mixed with the ambient air,
and eventually reached explosive concentration limits in Units 1 and 3. Due to piping connections
between Units 3 and 4, or alternatively from the same reaction occurring in the spent fuel pool in Unit
4 itself,[51] Unit 4 also filled with hydrogen, resulting in an explosion. In each case, the hydrogen-
air explosions occurred at the top of each unit, that was in their upper secondary containment
buildings.[52][53] Drone overflights on 20 March and afterwards captured clear images of the effects of
each explosion on the outside structures, while the view inside was largely obscured by shadows
and debris.[1] In Reactors 1, 2, and 3, overheating caused a reaction between the water and
the zircaloy, creating hydrogen gas.[54][55][56] On 12 March, leaking hydrogen mixed with oxygen
exploded in Unit 1,[10] destroying the upper part of the building and injuring five people. On 14 March,
a similar explosion occurred in the Reactor 3 building, blowing off the roof and injuring eleven
people.[6] On the 15th, there was an explosion in the Reactor 4 building due to a shared vent pipe
with Reactor 3.