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T H E C H E R N O B Y L E X C L U S I O N Z O N E
Mapping the Changes over time Since the Nuclear Explosion in 1986
A Paradoxical Context
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​The Polisie, which translates to ‘in the forest’, is the largest wetland forest in Europe and today is home to ‘Exclusion Zone’ created in 1986 after the catastrophe at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station.
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The Soviets began work in the 70s on the ‘Largest Nuclear Power Station in the World’ which supplied 10% of Ukraine’s energy, along with the supporting development, Pryp’yat; the ‘City of the Future.
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After the nuclear explosion 300,000 people were evacuated and now Pryp’yat is known as ‘The Ghost City’ or ‘The World’s Youngest City and Shortest Lived.’
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The Exclusion Zone
The Exclusion Zone covers an area the size of Luxembourg in the Ukraine and Belarus, enclosed by barbed wire fences and military guarded checkpoints. It protects humans from the dangers of radiation and contains any further spread. Labels describing the zone include ‘Zone of Alienation,’ ‘Forbidden Zone’ and the ‘Dead Zone.’
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The evacuation of humans inadvertently created a refuge for nature, as fauna seek to avoid the visible threat of human activity.
In areas of higher radiation, deformed organisms reveal their radioactive state, but a new found biodiversity is reclaiming the area and the majority of flora and fauna ‘appears’ to be ‘thriving’ or maybe just adapting.
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Radiation Levels 2019 Source - ‘University of Georgia and University of Portsmouth with date from Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology and ARPA Russia-Belarus
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Radiation Levels 2019 Source - ‘University of Georgia and University of Portsmouth with date from Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology and ARPA Russia-Belarus
Detailed Mapping of The Exclusion Zone (Original drawn to be printed large scale)