Report: 4.2 seismic 'event' in North Korea

[ProSense]

Talking Points:

(October 09, 2006 -- 01:23 AM EDT)

See the US Geological Survey's alert about a 4.2 seismic 'event' in North Korea.

CNN Political Ticker AM

Making news today...

North Korea claimed it conducted a successful underground nuclear test Monday, according to the country's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), report CNN's Jamie McIntyre, Barbara Starr, Sohn Jie-ae and Elise Labott.

The apparent nuclear test was conducted at 10:36 am local time (9:36 pm ET Sunday night) in Hwaderi near Kilju city, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported, citing defense officials.

A U.S. military official told CNN that "something clearly has happened," but the Pentagon was working to fully confirm the report.

With this test, reports the New York Times, North Korea becomes "the eighth country in history, and arguably the most unstable and most dangerous, to proclaim that it has joined the club of nuclear weapons states."

[Xeric]

1. Google Earth pic of the area

according to the USGS data

[Warpy]

2. A couple of things to keep in mind

First, nobody has come out and called it man made except the South Koreans. It probably was, but the USGS has still failed to confirm that. They're undoubtedly giving Rove et al. time to figure out how to put the proper face on it so that Stupid doesn't look stupid. Good luck to them and the Red Sox.

Second, most nukes have registered 4.9 up to 5.8 or so. 4.9 is seven times more powerful than 4.2. This could very well have been an extremely large conventional explosion, monumental fakery by a country that is fearful of being invaded by the west. It it was a nuclear explosion, an announcer on local news probably called it correctly as "more fizzle than pop."

China is the country most likely to deal with the North Koreans at all well, and it would certainly be a good idea if Stupid left it up to them. Not that he will, of course, but it's the best idea.

I'd call myself watchful at this point, but certainly not terrified.