US evaluating significance of NK seismic event

WASHINGTON, Oct 9 (Reuters) US intelligence has detected a ''seismic event'' in North Korea, but the data is still being evaluated to determine its significance, a US official said today.

''A seismic event has been detected, but we're evaluating the data and assessing how noteworthy it may or may not be,'' said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity after North Korea announced it had successfully carried out an underground nuclear test. The US official provided no further details.

A US senior official said earlier that South Koreans confirmed a test at 3.58 on the Richter scale. The US Geological Survey said it detected a 4.2 magnitude tremor in North Korea.

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