OVERVIEW: DPRK 2013 ANNOUNCED TEST
At 02.57.51 (UTC) on 12 February 2013, the CTBTO’s seismic network detected an unusual seismic event in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), which measured 4.9 in magnitude. Later that morning, the DPRK announced that it had conducted a nuclear test. CTBTO Executive Secretary Tibor Tóth strongly condemned DPRK’s action as “a clear threat to international peace and security.” The event was registered by 94 seismic stations and two infrasound stations in the CTBTO’s network. The data processing and analysis are designed to weed out natural events and focus on those events that might be explosions, including nuclear explosions.
Update 23 April: Two CTBTO radionuclide stations have detected radioactivity consistent with the 12 February DPRK event.
Video / Audio
Media Briefing on the announced nuclear test by North Korea with CTBTO's Tibor Tóth, Lassina Zerbo, Jerry Carter, Mika Nikkinen and Annika Thunborg. (
Briefing Highlights; Entire Briefing)
Video statement by CTBTO Executive Secretary Tibor Tóth on North Korea's announced nuclear test
Background information
Location of DPRK event in 2013 (blue), 2009 (orange) and 2006 (red)
How the CTBTO monitors for nuclear tests
MONITORING STATIONS
A total of 96 International Monitoring System stations monitored the unusual seismic activity detected in North Korea on 12 February 2013. Find out more about the work carried out at some of these stations:
Press Centre
23 April 2013
CTBTO detects radioactivity consistent with 12 February announced North Korean nuclear test
(Q & A sheet for media)
15 Feb 2013
Update on CTBTO findings related to the announced nuclear test by North Korea
12 Feb 2013
Technical information on the CTBTO's detection in North Korea
12 Feb 2013
Chairperson of the CTBTO, Ambassador Jan Petersen, condemns declared North Korean nuclear test
12 Feb 2013
CTBTO Executive Secretary Tibor Tóth condemns declared North Korean nuclear test
12 Feb 2013
Statement by CTBTO Executive Secretary Tibor Tóth on the seismic event detected in North Korea
Selected Press clippings
More clippings (from 12 February, 13 February, 14 February, 15 February, 18 February and for other days)
