Major disaster IMMINENT? Earthquake rocks North Korea's 'unstable' nuclear test site
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UNSTABLE: An earthquake has struck near North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site
A RADIOACTIVE disaster could be looming after a nuclear test site in North Korea was struck by an earthquake.
A 2.3-magnitude earthquake was recorded 47 km north-west of Gilju, North Hamgyong Province, at around 4.31am on Monday, according to The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
North Korea’s Punggye-ri nuclear test site is located in the same region in a mountainous area of Kilju County, two km south of Mantapsan.
Striking at a depth of five km, the tremor may have been caused by North Korea’s sixth and largest underground nuclear test in September last year, the KMA said.
Nine earthquakes of varying magnitude have struck the region since the hydrogen bomb test.
North Korea’s Punggye-ri nuclear test site is located in the same region in a mountainous area of Kilju County, two km south of Mantapsan.
Striking at a depth of five km, the tremor may have been caused by North Korea’s sixth and largest underground nuclear test in September last year, the KMA said.
Nine earthquakes of varying magnitude have struck the region since the hydrogen bomb test.
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The fallout from the blast weakened the underground structure around the site, leaving it vulnerable to collapse.
“The quake's epicentre was within five km of the test site,” a spokesperson for the KM said.
“Various signs showed the quake was natural and different in many ways from an artificial one caused by an underground explosion.”
At least 200 people were killed when a “unfinished” tunnel collapsed at the underground Punggye-ri nuclear test base on September 10.
“The quake's epicentre was within five km of the test site,” a spokesperson for the KM said.
“Various signs showed the quake was natural and different in many ways from an artificial one caused by an underground explosion.”
At least 200 people were killed when a “unfinished” tunnel collapsed at the underground Punggye-ri nuclear test base on September 10.
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NUCLEAR BASE: Punggye-ri is North Korea's only known nuclear test site
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“The quake's epicentre was within five km of the test site”The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA)
The disaster killed around 100 workers who were working on the construction of a new tunnel at the facility, North Korea’s only known nuclear test site.
Scientists have warned the “unstable” site may capitulate after North Korea tested the H-bomb on September 3.
Expert analysis of satellite images show that Kim Jong-un’s test considerably weakened the site, based deep under the Mount Mantap.
As a result of the collapse, radioactive waste bleeding from cracks in the mountain may be blown westwards towards other countries, experts have warned.
Scientists have warned the “unstable” site may capitulate after North Korea tested the H-bomb on September 3.
Expert analysis of satellite images show that Kim Jong-un’s test considerably weakened the site, based deep under the Mount Mantap.
As a result of the collapse, radioactive waste bleeding from cracks in the mountain may be blown westwards towards other countries, experts have warned.
Lan Xiaoqing, a researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics Associate, said a massive explosion caused by the collapse would send radioactive material into the stratosphere.
The toxic cloud of radioactive material could “spread to an entire hemisphere”, he said.
But given the reported instability of Punggye-r, another test at the site looks unlikely.
North Korea also appears to be committed to denuclearisation after a thaw in relations with the US and South Korea in recent months.
The toxic cloud of radioactive material could “spread to an entire hemisphere”, he said.
But given the reported instability of Punggye-r, another test at the site looks unlikely.
North Korea also appears to be committed to denuclearisation after a thaw in relations with the US and South Korea in recent months.
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LIFT OFF: North Korea shocked the world by testing a series of missiles in 2017
Over the weekend Kim promised to shut down the Punggye-ri facility and suspend all missile and nuclear tests.
“To guarantee suspension of nuclear tests in a transparent manner, the republic's northern nuclear test site will be abolished," North Korea’s ruling Worker's Party said in a statement on Friday.
"The overall projects of the party and the country will be geared towards building of a socialist economy, and all our efforts will be made towards it.”
“To guarantee suspension of nuclear tests in a transparent manner, the republic's northern nuclear test site will be abolished," North Korea’s ruling Worker's Party said in a statement on Friday.
"The overall projects of the party and the country will be geared towards building of a socialist economy, and all our efforts will be made towards it.”
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