Earthquake in North Korea, Suspected Nuclear Test
Earthquake in North Korea, Suspected Nuclear Test
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PYONGYANG - An 'artificial earthquake' was detected in North Korea early Friday (9/9). South Korea’s military believes North Korea has conducted its fifth nuclear test, and the 5.1 magnitude seismic event indicated the blast was 10 kilotonnes in yield, the largest ever conducted by the North.
US, European and Chinese seismological agencies reported that the tremor was recorded at 00.30 GMT at surface level. The China Earthquake Networks Center said the tremor was a suspected explosion.
A South Korean government official said it was a suspected nuclear test. Seoul called for an emergency National Security Council meeting.
The seismic event was detected near North Korea’s known nuclear test site, where it detonated its fourth nuclear device in January. The USGS said the tremor was detected on the surface. Naturally occurring earthquakes strike below ground.
Recent satellite imagery and intelligence has indicated increased activity at the Punggye-ri site, where North Korea carried out its previous tests, indicating a fifth was imminent.
Possible explosion, located near the location where North Korea has detonated nuclear explosions in the past. If this is indeed an explosion, the USGS National Earthquake Information Center cannot determine what type of explosion it may be, whether nuclear or any other possible type
Japan’s top government spokesman also said there was a high possibility the seismic event indicated that North Korea had conducted a nuclear test and that relevant ministries had been instructed to gather information.
Two months ago, US based 38 North, a North Korea monitoring project, said satellite images showed a high level of activity at North Korea’s nuclear test site, called Punggye-ri.
Speculation has intensified that North Korea may conduct a fifth nuclear test after the United States blacklisted its leader, Kim Jong Un, on July 6 for human rights abuses.
North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January, resulting in tough new UN sanctions. It has conducted a series of missile tests this year, including a submarine-launched missile.
The January test was recorded with a magnitude of 5.1, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
North Korea has been under UN Security Council sanctions since it first tested an atomic device in 2006.
US, European and Chinese seismological agencies reported that the tremor was recorded at 00.30 GMT at surface level. The China Earthquake Networks Center said the tremor was a suspected explosion.
A South Korean government official said it was a suspected nuclear test. Seoul called for an emergency National Security Council meeting.
The seismic event was detected near North Korea’s known nuclear test site, where it detonated its fourth nuclear device in January. The USGS said the tremor was detected on the surface. Naturally occurring earthquakes strike below ground.
Recent satellite imagery and intelligence has indicated increased activity at the Punggye-ri site, where North Korea carried out its previous tests, indicating a fifth was imminent.
Possible explosion, located near the location where North Korea has detonated nuclear explosions in the past. If this is indeed an explosion, the USGS National Earthquake Information Center cannot determine what type of explosion it may be, whether nuclear or any other possible type
Japan’s top government spokesman also said there was a high possibility the seismic event indicated that North Korea had conducted a nuclear test and that relevant ministries had been instructed to gather information.
Two months ago, US based 38 North, a North Korea monitoring project, said satellite images showed a high level of activity at North Korea’s nuclear test site, called Punggye-ri.
Speculation has intensified that North Korea may conduct a fifth nuclear test after the United States blacklisted its leader, Kim Jong Un, on July 6 for human rights abuses.
North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January, resulting in tough new UN sanctions. It has conducted a series of missile tests this year, including a submarine-launched missile.
The January test was recorded with a magnitude of 5.1, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
North Korea has been under UN Security Council sanctions since it first tested an atomic device in 2006.
(rnz)
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