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North Korea's Latest Nuclear Test Seems To Have Caused Landslides

Analysis group 38 North says these disturbances are "more numerous and widespread" than past nuclear tests in the Hermit Kingdom.

By: Lindsey Pulse

Posted at 3:03 PM, Sep 06, 2017

and last updated 2017-09-06 15:03:09-04

North Korea's latest nuclear test might have severely disturbed the land around the site.

Satellite images taken a day after Sunday's test show what experts say are landslides throughout the Mount Mantap area.

Compared with the five previous North Korean nuclear tests, analysis group 38 North says these landslides are "more numerous and widespread."

That makes some sense considering North Korea's test reportedly caused a 6.3 magnitude tremor.

Plus, the Hermit Kingdom claims the explosive power of the bomb can be adjusted between tens and hundreds of kilotons. The bomb dropped on Hiroshima was about 15 kilotons.

38 North said it didn't detect any collapses in the mountain after the test.

Still, some Chinese scientists worry the mountain might not hold up much longer if North Korea keeps testing. If the mountain caves, experts say radiation could spread across the area.