Posted on 09/13/2017 9:59:00 AM PDT by Hadean
Sept. 13 (UPI) -- The most recent satellite images of North Korea's nuclear site taken Friday show a greater number of surface disturbances following Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test than previous tests at Punggye-ri, U.S. analysts say.
Writing for 38 North, the Johns Hopkins University website dedicated to North Korea issues, analysts Frank V. Pabian, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. and Jack Liu say North Korea's site now has "additional slippage" in "pre-existing landslide scars" and a "possible subsidence crater."
The caving in of land at the site, however, may not have been the result of the estimated 4.9-magnitude earthquake that took place 8 minutes after the test, the analysts say.
A more powerful earthquake the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization estimated to be of a 5.8 magnitude, but later revised to 6.1, is evidence the bomb could have unleashed as much as 250 kilotons of energy, significantly more than the previously estimated 100-120 kilotons.
Tremors from the earthquake are likely the cause of a possible "collapse chimney crater" at the site, the analysts added.
There is evidence the North Koreans will not stop tests at Punggye-ri, they said.
The images from Friday indicate "new tunnel excavation activity" could be under planning, as the photos show some "mining carts on the rail line that extends from the West Portal to the spoil pile."
The analysts also said the North Portal used for the last test may not be used and that they cannot rule out the possibility radioactive material was released into the atmosphere following the test.
"The yield of the test clearly shows North Korean progress in increasing the yields of their nuclear weapons," the analysts said. "The significance of this is that it has the potential to dramatically increase the threat posed by" its ballistic missiles.
Better be careful Kim. Might wake Gojira.
Actually, I find it odd that Fat Boi continues to test his nukes underground. Considering his appetite for drama, one would think he’d want the world to see the mushroom cloud.
Or Taiwan.
Obama’s legacy.
For eight years he kicked the can down the road so that the next President would have to deal with North Korea.
His nuclear testing ground is near the Chinese border. If nuclear fallout rained down over China it would no longer be in the ChiCom's interest to tolerate Fat Boi.
What are we doing about this to protect and defend the people of the United States? We are averting our gaze.
No, competent analysts are calling it a 150 kiloton blast max. That is still a big improvement.
Still no radioactive emissions beyond normal background. How would SK know? The winds blow NE.
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