Earthquake monitors to watch for N. Korea nuclear activity

SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's weather agency said Thursday it will
install earthquake recorders in three regions adjacent to the inter-Korean border
so as to detect possible nuclear activities by North Korea.

The seismometers will be set up 100 meters below ground in the rural towns of
Ganghwa, Yeoncheon and Inje to record seismic waves that can be generated by
nuclear tests and other artificial explosions as well as earthquakes, said the
Korea Meteorological Administration.
Once installed, the devices, which cost 300 million won (US$21,587) each, will
allow the weather agency to learn and inform of any unusual movements and whether
or not they are artificial.
"Seismic waves from natural earthquakes have a longer period of energy emission
compared to artificially-generated waves linked to shorter energy emission
periods," an official said.
North Korea detonated a nuclear device in October 2006. Experts in Seoul said its
explosive impact was smaller than that of a successful nuclear test.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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