North Korea saw around 3 times more earthquakes last year, says Seoul

31 quakes detected last year, 20 higher than average 11 recorded each year so far, according to Korea Meteorological Administration

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - North Korea experienced around three times more earthquakes last year compared to the annual averages in previous years, Seoul said on Thursday.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said 31 earthquakes with a magnitude of 2 or higher were detected in North Korea last year.

“This figure is about three times higher than the average of 11 earthquakes per year recorded so far,” Korea JoongAng Daily reported.

Some 20 earthquakes occurred in the Kilju county of the North Hamgyong province, home to the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, where North Korea conducted all six of its nuclear tests from 2006 to 2017, it added.

“We believe that natural earthquakes are occurring because the ground in the Kilju area has weakened after nuclear tests,” said Park Sun-cheon, head of the earthquake and volcano research division at the Korea Meteorological Administration.

Kaynak:

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