This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/23/north-korea-quake-raises-concerns-about-further-nuclear-test

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
North Korea quake raises concerns about further nuclear test North Korean quake raises concerns about further nuclear test
(about 1 hour later)
An earthquake detected in North Korea has led to conflicting reports that the country may have carried out another nuclear bomb test.An earthquake detected in North Korea has led to conflicting reports that the country may have carried out another nuclear bomb test.
China said the 3.4 magnitude quake was a “suspected explosion”, however an official at South Korea’s meteorological agency said its initial analysis of the tremor, which they put at magnitude 3.0, showed it was a natural quake.China said the 3.4 magnitude quake was a “suspected explosion”, however an official at South Korea’s meteorological agency said its initial analysis of the tremor, which they put at magnitude 3.0, showed it was a natural quake.
“A key method is to look at the seismic waves or seismic acoustic waves and the latter can be detected in the case of a man-made earthquake,” said the unnamed official. “In this case we saw none. So as of now, we are categorising this as a natural earthquake.”“A key method is to look at the seismic waves or seismic acoustic waves and the latter can be detected in the case of a man-made earthquake,” said the unnamed official. “In this case we saw none. So as of now, we are categorising this as a natural earthquake.”
The earthquake was detected in Kilju county in North Hamgyong province, where the Punggyeri nuclear site is located, the official said.The earthquake was detected in Kilju county in North Hamgyong province, where the Punggyeri nuclear site is located, the official said.
China’s earthquake administration said in a statement on its website that the quake, which occurred around 0830 GMT, was recorded at a depth of 0km.China’s earthquake administration said in a statement on its website that the quake, which occurred around 0830 GMT, was recorded at a depth of 0km.
All of North Korea’s previous six nuclear tests registered as earthquakes of magnitude 4.3 or above. The last test on 3 September registered as a 6.3 magnitude quake. A secondary tremor detected after that test could have been caused by the collapse of a tunnel at the mountainous site, experts said at the time.All of North Korea’s previous six nuclear tests registered as earthquakes of magnitude 4.3 or above. The last test on 3 September registered as a 6.3 magnitude quake. A secondary tremor detected after that test could have been caused by the collapse of a tunnel at the mountainous site, experts said at the time.
Satellite photos of the area after the 3 September quake showed numerous landslides, apparently caused by the blast, which North Korea said was an advanced hydrogen bomb.Satellite photos of the area after the 3 September quake showed numerous landslides, apparently caused by the blast, which North Korea said was an advanced hydrogen bomb.
The head of the nuclear test monitoring agency CTBTO said on Saturday that analysts were “looking at unusual seismic activity of a much smaller magnitude” than the 3 September test.The head of the nuclear test monitoring agency CTBTO said on Saturday that analysts were “looking at unusual seismic activity of a much smaller magnitude” than the 3 September test.
Two seismic events had been detected about 50km (30 miles) away from previous nuclear tests and it was unlikely they were man-made, CTBTO said. The activity took place about 50km (30 miles) away from previous nuclear tests, it added.Two seismic events had been detected about 50km (30 miles) away from previous nuclear tests and it was unlikely they were man-made, CTBTO said. The activity took place about 50km (30 miles) away from previous nuclear tests, it added.
Russia’s emergency ministry said background radiation in nearby Vladivostok was within the natural range.Russia’s emergency ministry said background radiation in nearby Vladivostok was within the natural range.
There was no immediate reaction from China’s foreign ministry, but the news was widely reported by Chinese state media outlets and on social media.There was no immediate reaction from China’s foreign ministry, but the news was widely reported by Chinese state media outlets and on social media.
Tensions have continued to rise around the Korean peninsula since Pyongyang carried out its sixth nuclear test, prompting a new round of UN sanctions.Tensions have continued to rise around the Korean peninsula since Pyongyang carried out its sixth nuclear test, prompting a new round of UN sanctions.
North Korea’s foreign minister Ri Yong Ho, who is in New York for a UN meeting, warned on Thursday that Kim could consider a hydrogen bomb test of an unprecedented scale over the Pacific. Ri is due to address the UN later on Saturday.North Korea’s foreign minister Ri Yong Ho, who is in New York for a UN meeting, warned on Thursday that Kim could consider a hydrogen bomb test of an unprecedented scale over the Pacific. Ri is due to address the UN later on Saturday.
The US president, Donald Trump, called the North Korean leader a “madman” on Friday, a day after Kim dubbed him a “mentally deranged US dotard” who would face the “highest level of hardline countermeasure in history”.The US president, Donald Trump, called the North Korean leader a “madman” on Friday, a day after Kim dubbed him a “mentally deranged US dotard” who would face the “highest level of hardline countermeasure in history”.
North Korea has launched dozens of missiles this year, several of them flying over Japan, as it accelerates a weapons programme aimed at enabling it to target the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile.North Korea has launched dozens of missiles this year, several of them flying over Japan, as it accelerates a weapons programme aimed at enabling it to target the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile.
China has been angered by the tests and has signed up for the increasingly tough UN sanctions, but it has stressed the need to resume dialogue and for all sides to take steps to reduce tensions.China has been angered by the tests and has signed up for the increasingly tough UN sanctions, but it has stressed the need to resume dialogue and for all sides to take steps to reduce tensions.
Earlier on Saturday, China said it would limit exports of refined petroleum products from 1 October and ban exports of condensates and liquefied natural gas immediately to comply with the latest UN sanctions. It will also ban imports of textiles from North Korea.Earlier on Saturday, China said it would limit exports of refined petroleum products from 1 October and ban exports of condensates and liquefied natural gas immediately to comply with the latest UN sanctions. It will also ban imports of textiles from North Korea.