North Korea nuclear test site shows ‘disturbances’, landslides

by WorldTribune Staff, September 6, 2017

Satellite images taken the day after North Korea’s test of what it says was a hydrogen bomb show “surface disturbances” and landslides at the test site.

A 100-kiloton underground explosion at the Punggye-ri site on Sept. 3 generated an artificial quake that was felt across the border in China and as far away as Vladivostok, Russia, according to analysts writing for 38 North, the Johns Hopkins University website dedicated to North Korea issues.

Before/after images of the test site showed disruptions of the formerly green surface above the test site. / 38 North.

“These disturbances are more numerous and widespread than what we have seen from any of the five tests North Korea previously conducted,” say analysts Frank V. Pabian, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Jack Liu.

The analysts said the images taken on Sept. 4 showed landslides as well as numerous areas of gravel and stone fields that were “lofted” by the tremors.

Lofting occurs when shockwaves force material to be ejected from the ground, and the material falls back down in the same place.
The analysts added that while the test triggered a powerful tremor, it apparently did not cause the crater to collapse. But some experts believe the test did cause an underground tunnel at Punggye-ri to collapse.

North Korea has shown no signs of slowing down provocations after the nuclear test.

Speaking to the United Nations in Geneva on during the Conference on Disarmament on Sept. 5, North Korean Ambassador Han Tae-Song said his country will deliver “more gift packages” to the United States.

“The recent self-defense measures by my country, DPRK, are a gift package addressed to none other than the U.S.,” Han said. “The U.S. will receive more gift packages from my country as long as it relies on reckless provocations and futile attempts to put pressure on the DPRK.”


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