Seismic activity Wednesday in North Korea appeared to have been man-made and occurred in the same area as a previous nuclear test.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gives a New Year's address for 2016 in Pyongyang on Jan. 1.
Kyodo Kyodo / Reuters
The event happened 12 miles northeast of Sungjibaegam at about 8:30 p.m. ET Tuesday. It was reported at a magnitude of 5.1, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
South Korean meteorological officials said the event was man-made and "highly likely" to be a nuclear test, Reuters reported. Chinese officials reported the depth of the event at zero kilometers and described it as a "suspected explosive." Japanese officials also described the event as a possible nuclear test, AFP reported.
North Korea said it would make a special announcement about the event at 11 p.m. ET Tuesday.
A map shows the epicenter of the earthquake detected Wednesday.
USGS / Via earthquake.usgs.gov
South Korea's National Security Council gathered for an emergency meeting in response to the event, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to BuzzFeed News' request for comment Tuesday evening. However, citing an anonymous official Reuters reported the U.S. Defense Department was "looking into the reports of a possible seismic event near North Korean nuclear facilities."
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