Pungi-ri Test Site, North Korea

Punggye-ri Test Site is a huge nuclear test site in Kilju County, North Korea. It has appeared only in 2006. Since the foundation there were made several large tests, the largest were in 2009 and 2013. All data about the explosions are top-secreted. The specialists could estimate only the approximate power of nuclear bombs – from 2 to 10 kilotons.

In January 2016 on the test site was made an explosion of the thermo-nuclear bomb, which power was about 10 kilotons. A great number of explosions was made under the earth that became a reason of many earthquakes. Seismologists thoroughly look for the region, however, the tests are top-secret, that’s why it is quite hard to foresee the new earthquake.

Punggye-ri Test Site is a functional one. On its territory, people can get by three tunnels. Kilju County is situated not far from the test site, more than 10 years it has been under a great threat. In the case of the nuclear catastrophe, locals could be in the bad zone of radiation poisoning. It is quite hard to estimate the real threat for locals because the tests are security-guarded. Next - Maralinga Test Site