The events of the catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred on April 26, 1986 are still remembered today. And now, an important step toward dismantling and securing the still dangerous reactor at Chernobyl is being taken.
Recently, a giant anti-radiation shield (composed of concrete and steel) slowly began being moved into place, a couple feet at a time, to cover Chernobyl nuclear power plant's melted reactor. The cover is more than 350 feet tall and more than 530 feet long and was built at the site over the last several years.
The shield is designed to secure the site for at least 100 years. It will replace the concrete shelter, called a sarcophagus, that was built around the reactor during the 1986 meltdown. Officials say the hastily built sarcophagus is showing signs of aging and every day the risk of it collapsing increases every day.
This video from the Wall Street Journal shows some of the moving process as well as what the site looks like today.