Quasar Quest | Beyond Astrophysics on Instagram: "In three seconds, Chernobyl unleashed decades of energy On April 26, 1986, Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant experienced a catastrophic power surge. Designed to operate at 3,200 MWt, the reactor’s output spiked to approximately 30,000 MWt nearly ten times its normal capacity. This surge occurred within seconds, leading to a massive steam explosion that ruptured the reactor vessel and blasted the upper biological shield through the ro