"The China Syndrome" is a term used to describe a hypothetical nuclear reactor meltdown scenario where the reactor core melts through its containment structure and continues to burrow into the ground. The name comes from the idea that if this were to happen, the molten core could theoretically reach all the way to China, which is located on the opposite side of the Earth from many nuclear facilities. The term gained popularity after the release of the 1979 film titled "The China Syndrome," which depicted a nuclear accident and raised public awareness about the potential dangers of nuclear energy. The film's release coincided with real-life concerns about nuclear safety, especially following the Three Mile Island incident later that same year.