Earthquakes in Kilju: Natural Tremors or Nuclear Test Site Effects?

Three Weak Earthquakes Hit North Korea’s Nuclear Test Site

Three weak earthquakes rocked the northeastern province of Kilju, where the country’s nuclear test site is located, but they were all natural tremors, according to South Korea’s state meteorological agency.

Details of the Quakes

According to Yonhap News Agency, the first quake struck about 38 kilometers north of Kilju at 3:29 am, while the second and third quakes hit nearby areas at 4:01 am and 5:12 am respectively, and their magnitude varied. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration agency, from 2.1 to 2.3.

An Earthquake-Prone Area

Kilju, home to the Punge-ri nuclear test site, where North Korea conducted all six of its nuclear tests, is an earthquake-prone area.

Increased Seismic Activity

A total of 19 earthquakes of magnitude 2.0 or greater have occurred in the region this year, more than a quarter of the 71 earthquakes of magnitude 2.0 or greater that have occurred in and around the Korean Peninsula.

Unstable Grounds

Experts say that the land of Kilju, like a granite territory, was initially stable, but repeated nuclear tests may have made it unstable.

Source: Yonhap

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