[imText1]An earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale hit the area where China, Russia and North Korea meet at 10AM this morning.
The epicenter of the quake occurred at a point 100km north-northeast of Chongjin in North Hamkyung Province, somewhere along the Russian coast of the Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostock.
Despite the relative strength of the quake, no damage or loss of life has been reported. Lee Hee Il, Chairman of the Korea Earthquake Research Center, explained why to The Daily NK, “Although the magnitude was 6.9, it was generated 562 kilometers below the surface, so it would have been hard to detect the earthquake on land.”
Lee also confirmed, “There is a low possibility of it causing damage in North Korea.”
A source from North Hamkyung Province seemed to confirm the truth of Lee’s assessment, saying this lunchtime, “I haven’t noticed any symptoms of an earthquake, such as shaking.”
However, an AP report this morning noted that the quake seemed to shake tall buildings in Beijing, 1215 kilometers away, for around a minute, an effect which can apparently result from distant, but deep, earthquakes which are not felt nearer their epicenter.
