BEIJING -- A strong shallow earthquake struck North Korea on Sunday, triggering suspicions that it might be caused by an explosion.
Minutes after the first temblor, which happened at 0330 GMT, the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) reported a light shallow tremor nearby, noting that it might be a collapse earthquake.
The CENC placed the magnitude of the first earthquake at 6.3 and the location of its epicenter at 41.35 degrees north latitude and 129.11 degrees east longitude, with a depth of zero km. It noted that explosion was suspected.
In its latest update, the CENC said a 4.6-magnitude earthquake occurred at 0338 GMT at 41.21 degrees north latitude and 129.18 degrees east longitude, also with an epicenter zero km. deep. The agency labeled it as a collapse earthquake.
The US Geological Survey reported that a 6.3-magnitude tremor happened at 0330 GMT at 41.343 degrees north latitude and 129.036 degrees east longitude, with a depth of zero km.
The institution noted that it might be caused by an explosion and that its epicenter, at 22 km. east-northeast of Sungjibaegam, was located near the site where North Korea detonated nuclear explosions in the past.
In the wake of the earthquake, South Korean President Moon Jae-in called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council. (Xinhua)
