South Korea Detects Seismic Activity

Update: Fox: North Korean test likely didn't reach 400 kiloton goal. That basically confirms a test via the US government.

Update: Text of the North Korean announcement:

``The field of scientific research in the DPRK successfully conducted an underground nuclear test under secure conditions on October 9, 2006, at a stirring time when all the people of the country are making a great leap forward in the building of a great, prosperous, powerful socialist nation.

``It has been confirmed that there was no such danger as radioactive emission in the course of the nuclear test as it was carried out under scientific consideration and careful calculation.

``The nuclear test was conducted with indigenous wisdom and technology 100 percent. It marks a historic event as it greatly encouraged and pleased the KPA and people that have wished to have powerful self-reliant defense capability.

``It will contribute to defending the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the area around it.''

Update: According to Fox China had a 20 minute warning of test - they notified Japan, the US, etc....

h/t Hot Air

In Seoul a foreign ministry spokesman said South Korea's intelligence agency has detected a 3.58-magnitude seismic tremor, following North Korea's announcement of a nuclear test.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the test was conducted at 10:36 a.m. (9:36 p.m. EDT Sunday) in Hwaderi near Kilju city, citing defense officials.

Comments

[Dusty]

FWIW, I checked both the USGS page and the Edinburgh Earth Observatory and neither have noted seismic activity near the Korean Peninsula yet. The former has already recorded a seismic event for the 9th @ 1:20AM UTC, which would be 10:20 in NK. Both sites record events much below the 3.59 magnitude Yonhap has reported being detected by some SK authorities.