Something about the US – North Korea relationship does not seem to abate on possible threats. According to reports, an earthquake has been detected near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.
The tremor was relatively minor, measuring just 2.6 on the Richter scale. It has sparked fears that it was caused by a nuclear test – but was most likely a natural occurrence in a region where earthquakes have previously been recorded.
Tensions have ramped up between the isolated nation and the USA in recent weeks, with US president Donald Trump pledging to attack North Korea with ‘fire and fury’ if necessary.
But there is no evidence to suggest that the earthquake was related to any kind of nuclear activity. This tweet claims the quake happened at 9.32 local time, and measured 2.6 in strength. The strength of the earthquake indicates that it may have been felt slightly by some people, but would not have caused damage to any buildings.
It is believed to have struck a 3km area just south west of Pyongyang.
North Korea’s nuclear programme has been under scrutiny amid successful missile launches by Kim Jong-un, but there is no indication the earthquake was caused by a test. State media had reported that Kim had decided against further testing for now, while there are no known test sites in the area.
Earthquakes have happened in the region before, including just last month when a more powerful quake measuring 6.0 was detected off the east coast of North Korea. At the time, South Korean experts said the epicentre, which was 347 miles below the seabed, was too deep for it to have been caused by nuclear activity.
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