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This photo, provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration, shows the epicenter of a 3.1 magnitude natural quake that hit near North Korea's nuclear testing site in Kilju on Friday. (Korea Meteorological Administration) |
A 3.1 magnitude natural earthquake hit near North Korea's nuclear testing site Friday, South Korea's state weather agency said.
The quake occurred about 40 kilometers north-northwest of Kilju, North Hamgyong Province, at 10:35 a.m., according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
Kilju is where North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear testing site is located. A total of 25 earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.0 or bigger have struck regions near Kilju since 1978, with a 3.2 magnitude quake that occurred Sept. 23, 2017, being the strongest.
The epicenter of Friday's quake was at a latitude of 41.3 degrees north and a longitude of 129.21 degrees east at a depth of 17 km. The KMA said the quake occurred naturally.
Friday's quake was the strongest one to hit the Korean Peninsula this year, according to the KMA. (Yonhap)
