Earthquake detected in North Korea, but officials split on whether it was a new detonation

CNBC ^ | 2017/09/23

[TigerLikesRooster]

Earthquake detected in North Korea, but officials split on whether it was a new detonation

China detected a magnitude 3.4 earthquake in North Korea that it called a "suspected explosion"
South Korea's weather agency said it believed it to be a natural earthquake
Previous quakes from North Korea have indicated nuclear tests

China's earthquake administration said on Saturday it had detected a magnitude 3.4 earthquake in North Korea that was a "suspected explosion", but it was still unclear whether the nation had actually conducted a new nuclear test.

Amid a growing war of words between Pyongyang and Washington, Chinese officials said in a statement on its website that the quake, which occurred around 0830 GMT, was recorded a depth of zero kilometres.

Previous quakes from North Korea have indicated nuclear tests by the reclusive state, the most recent earlier this month. The quake was centred near North Korea's nuclear test site.

'Unlikely man-made'

South Korea's weather agency said it was analyzing the nature of the quake, and its initial view was that it was a natural earthquake.

Shortly after, the nuclear proliferation watchdog CTBTO said that the seismic activity on the Korean Peninsula took place around 50 kilometers from prior tests. Lassina Zerbo, the executive secretary of the agency said there were actually two seismic activities. In a tweet, Zerbo said that the quake is "unlikely man-made." Analysts from the agency are still investigating.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Whatever it is, if it caused the collapse of all tunnels for their test, N. Korea would have a major headache. Could they do another test in the same area? If not, it won't be easy to find another suitable site because N. Korea is a small country.

[TigerLikesRooster]

That could release radioactive materials trapped underground. There has been no clear explanation on another quake several minutes after the last test, either. Was it the implosion of the test site or did the test disturb underground fault lines?

[Snickering Hound]

There is a volcano called Mount Paektu within a few dozen miles of their nuclear test site that is past due for a Tambora sized (1816 year without a summer) eruption. Last big eruption was in 946.

There has been considerable alarm in the Geologist community of how North Korea has been setting off underground nukes with their accompanying earthquakes shaking it up.

Little is known about it’s magma chamber other than it’s filling. North Korea is not the most friendly place for geologists to try to do their jobs.

[CDB]

That could release radioactive materials trapped underground.

Would they be dangerous to neighboring countries? Are there prevailing winds, and if so, which direction?