Tremor detected near North Korean nuclear test site

A magnitude 3.4 earthquake believed to have been caused by nuclear weapon tests has been detected in North Korea.

Monitors say the Saturday tremor occurred about 50km (31 miles) from a nuclear test site, a similar trend with previous quakes.

BBC reports that Chinese seismologists believe it was a “suspected explosion” but South Korea says it is likely a natural quake because “the specific soundwaves generated by artificial earthquakes were not detected”.

The latest quake, which was recorded at a depth of 0km in North Hamgyong province, is smaller than usual quakes that take place when North Korea carries out its nuclear tests.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said though it occurred in a nuclear test area, it could not decide what could have led to the earthquake.

It added that its seismologists assessed the quake as having a depth of 5km.

“We cannot conclusively confirm at this time the nature (natural or human-made) of the event,” USGS was quoted to have said.

Lassina Zerbo, executive secretary, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation, said the “unusual seismic activity of a much smaller magnitude” is being investigated.

The quake occurred “about 50km from prior tests,” he also tweeted.

Update: Korean Peninsula unusual #seismic activity: LAT=41.36 LON=129.76 mb=3.5
About 50km from prior tests.#CTBT Analysts investigating.

— Lassina Zerbo (@SinaZerbo) September 23, 2017

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North Korea had carried out a massive nuclear test on September 3 after which initial reports from the USGS put the tremor at magnitude 5.6 with a depth of 10km.

The quake was later upgraded to magnitude 6.3 at 0km.