Reports from near North Korea say an earthquake just occurred, and some seismologists believe it might be artificial, meaning it could have been from a nuclear missile test.
BREAKING: Small earthquake is detected in North Korea, but no immediate signs nuclear test was carried out.
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 6, 2016
DEVELOPING: USGS: Preliminary magnitude 5.1 earthquake hits northern North Korea. pic.twitter.com/pgQHisdntQ
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) January 6, 2016
#BREAKING 5.1 magnitude quake detected close to North Korea nuclear test site: USGS
— AFP news agency (@AFP) January 6, 2016
Good morning, Asia. "Earthquake" detected within 30 kilometers of known North Korea nuclear weapons test site.
— David Feith (@DavidFeith) January 6, 2016
South Korean meteorological agency says North Korea earthquake appears to be man made – Reuters
— Jon Passantino (@passantino) January 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/DavidInglesTV/status/684556289150590976
Seismic activity detected in #NorthKorea. It's not clear if it's a nuclear blast or earthquake. Magnitude 5.1.
— CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) January 6, 2016
More from BNO News:
The moderate earthquake, at 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday, was centered at a nuclear test facility northwest of Kilju in the North’s northern region. The United States Geological Survey put the magnitude at 5.1.
There was no immediate confirmation on whether a nuclear test had been carried out, but past nuclear tests caused readings that matched Wednesday’s event. South Korea’s meteorological agency said the earthquake appeared to be “man-made,” and China’s seismological agency described the event as a “suspected explosion.”
North Korea conducted its last nuclear test in February 2013, leading to a new round of UN sanctions that aimed to impede the country’s ability to further develop nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as its proliferation activities. Two other nuclear tests took place in 2006 and 2009.
I’ll post more info as it becomes available.
UPDATE:
BREAKING: South Korean weather agency sees signs of "artificial quake" near North Korean nuke test site.
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 6, 2016
SEOUL, South Korea (@AP) — South Korean weather agency sees signs of "artificial quake" near North Korean nuke test site
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) January 6, 2016
UPDATE:
Wow.. it looks like it probably is a nuke test.
NORTH KOREA SAYS WILL MAKE 'SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT' AT 12:30 P.M. (11 P.M. ET) https://t.co/mYmCOVm5Di
— BNO News (@BNONews) January 6, 2016
That… is a big deal, people.
UPDATE:
And there it is – Hope and Change the North Korean edition.
#DPRK TV announcer: Under Kim Jong Un’s guidance a miniaturized H-bomb test was a complete success. pic.twitter.com/HvE3ulasin
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) January 6, 2016