Japan to boost seismic detection of nuclear tests

TOKYO, Dec 20 (Reuters) Japan will boost its ability to detect seismic waves from nuclear tests after it failed to quickly analyse data from a test by North Korea in October, the Meteorological Agency said today.

The agency will place a high-sensitivity seismometer around 800 metres below ground at a complex in Nagano, central Japan, an official said.

Currently, eight seismometers at the high-tech complex, which can detect earthquakes worldwide, are set 40 to 70 metres below ground.

Moving one device deeper would shut out negligible tremors on the ground from traffic and construction work, the official said.

Such interference was one factor behind a delay of around two hours in determining that seismic waves from North Korea on October 9 were not caused by an earthquake.

Construction of the new seismometer will begin from next April and the agency will put it into place as soon as possible, the official said.

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