A seismic event that the U.S. Geological Survey recorded as magnitude 5.1 occurred Wednesday morning in an area of northeast North Korea known for nuclear tests.
The USGS said the disturbance occurred 19 kilometers (12 miles) east-northeast of Sungjibaegam at about 9:30 a.m. local time.
In South Korea, the meteorological agency said the “man-made” event registered magnitude 4.3.
China Earthquake Networks Center in Beijing is describing the event as a “suspected explosion.”
The event is near the site of a 2013 underground nuclear test.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry is holding an emergency meeting after reports of the seismic disturbance, the ministry told CNN.
Officials in Japan also were holding discussions.
Japanese meteorological officials observed the tremor was very shallow, similar to past tests. The agency said it was possible this was another nuclear test, but it is still analyzing data.
According to the Nuclear Threat Initiative in Washington, the P’unggye nuclear site is a “sprawling facility with three known tunnel entrances and multiple support buildings.”
The facility was the site of tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013, the organization’s website says.
