North Korea's nuclear tests and seismic risks

A study published in Science found that North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site has experienced an unexpected, sustained rise in seismic activity in the years since the country's sixth and final underground test in 2017, unlike the typical pattern of test-related earthquakes fading within days or weeks. Analysing seismic data from 2008 to 2025, researchers led by Kwang-Hee Kim of Pusan National University counted 1,399 earthquakes around Mount Mantap, mostly magnitude 2 to 3, with the number and intensity increasing over time rather than declining \u2014 activity the area had essentially never shown before the 21st century.

Follow this story on the globe Share

As it ran

19 September 2026

• North Korea dismisses UN nuclear watchdog resolution Al Jazeera

18 September 2026

• North Korea’s tests awaken fault lines pointing to huge volcano at China border South China Morning Post

17 September 2026

• North Korea’s nuclear tests may have reactivated seismic faults CNN