Ak-47 Analysis of composition of the Elephant’s Foot (Chernobyl) over the last 30 years.

The Elephants foot as of December of 1986 consisted of a mix of various materials; nuclear fuel, melted concrete, core shielding, and sand, all mixed together. This substance was then named ‘Corium’ or Lava, it was called this after the part of the reactor it was from.

Chemical Composition

Corium is a heterogeneous silicate glass containing inclusions;

• uranium oxides (from the fuel pellets)
• uranium oxides with zirconium
• zirconium oxides with uranium
• zirconium-uranium oxide (Zr- U-O)
• zirconium silicate with up to 10% uranium [(Zr,U)SiO4, common name chernobylite]
• calcium aluminosilicates
• metal
• smaller amounts of sodium oxide and magnesium oxide

The Elephant’s Foot has changed over time, puffing out dust, cracking, and decomposing. Due to the risk of dust drilling has been ruled out and collection of a sample was first taken in 1987 using an AK-47 to shoot off a piece (Source 1)

As of 1990 it was observed that the foot was decaying and “yellow stains” consisting of secondary uranium minerals (uranyl-phases) were observed…