© US Department of Energy
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Chernobyl has been a hot topic since HBO released their series documenting the nuclear accident that took place over 30 years ago. This image will make you even more intrigued.
Furthermore, whilst Instagram models and tourists alike flock to the destroyed city, one photo is the most shocking. Taken 10 years after radioactive contamination devastated the Ukraine, a man went to inspect the nuclear waste, whilst another photographed him.
Within the image, the man in a haz-mat suit is seen looking at a pile of corium (a once-molten concoction of uranium, graphite, concrete, and sand). This is called the elephant foot because of its shape. However, the film did develop a slightly distorted picture. This can be explained by the sheer levels of radiation, even still present in the 90s.
The photograph shows demarcation in the nuclear waste itself, as well as a double image of the man. In the development, it looks as if electricity is running through the worker. This is all the effects of the radiation upon the film.
After years the man in the image was traced back to:
“Artur Korneyev, Deputy Director of Shelter Object, viewing the ‘elephants foot’ lava flow at Chernobyl, 1996.”
US Department of Energy
Artur was tasked with measuring how dangerous the toxicity was as well as minimising the damage to the team attempting to clear Chernobyl. He is thought to still be alive, although suffering from the effects of exposure to radiation, seen in the image. However, he was a key part of the building of the protective structure above the nuclear power plant that was completed in 2016.
Want to check it out yourself? Here are the best ways to visit Chernobyl
