powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck in eastern Russia near the border with China and North Korea.
The US Geological Survey said the epicentre of the quake, which struck at shortly after midnight (local time) was southwest of Vladivostok, around 9 kilometres from the Russian border town of Zarubino, at a depth of 561kms.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the quake.
A 6.1-magnitude quake struck Russia's far east last month, and a 6.9 quake rocked the region in February. Neither caused significant damage.
An underground formation in the area known as the Kuril-Kamchatka arc is considered one of the most seismically active regions in the world.
Since 1900, seven powerful earthquakes of magnitude 8.3 or greater have occurred along the arc, according to the USGS.
AFP
To powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck in eastern Russia near the border with China and North Korea.
The US Geological Survey said the epicentre of the quake, which struck at shortly after midnight (local time) was southwest of Vladivostok, around 9 kilometres from the Russian border town of Zarubino, at a depth of 561kms.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the quake.
A 6.1-magnitude quake struck Russia's far east last month, and a 6.9 quake rocked the region in February. Neither caused significant damage.
An underground formation in the area known as the Kuril-Kamchatka arc is considered one of the most seismically active regions in the world.
Since 1900, seven powerful earthquakes of magnitude 8.3 or greater have occurred along the arc, according to the USGS.
AFP
To
Korea
updated 5:56 AM EDT, Sat April 6, 2013
South Korean soldiers stand guard at a sentry post at the border with North Korea in the Demilitarized Zone near Imjingak, South Korea, on April 5, , as tensions have mounted on the Korean Peninsula.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Western tourists are having a good time in North Korea in spite of tensions
- Pyongyang has offered foreign embassies help evacuating, but they are staying
- A U.S. official confirms reports that North Korea has loaded a pair of missiles into launchers
- State Department: "This does not need to get hotter"
Anderson Cooper spoke to an escapee from a North Korean prison camp on 'AC360'
Washington (CNN) -- As bellicose posturing and threats have grown more dramatic on the Korean Peninsula, the government in the North has told foreign diplomats it cannot guarantee their safety, if war breaks out.
The same concern apparently does not extend to foreign tourists.
On Friday, officials met with ambassadors to ask if they needed help evacuating their personnel, several diplomatic missions said.
On Saturday, Amanda Carr, who works for a British travel company, wrapped up a pleasure tour of North Korea with a group of 20 tourists. Before leaving the country, they were able to take in a rally in Pyongyang.
The UK's embassy in North Korea gave her company, Koryo Tours, some guidance in light of the international tensions. "We've been advised to continue with the tours," Carr said.
Her North Korean partners -- from the state's travel agency -- continue to accept tourists, she said. And their demeanor is friendly towards them, as it always has been.
Embassies staying put
Britain's diplomats are staying for now, according to the UK Foreign Office said. "We have no immediate plans to withdraw our embassy," it said in a statement.
Sweden's embassy will remain open as well. It represents the concerns of the United States in North Korea and helps its citizens traveling there.
French diplomats have also made no plans to leave.
Russia, a traditional ally of North Korea, may consider an evacuation of staff due to the tensions, according to Russian state media.
Missile tension
New reports of missile movements in North Korea have triggered military counteractions by South Korea and the United States.
A U.S. official told CNN that two medium-range missiles have been loaded onto mobile launchers on the East coast of North Korea, but a second U.S. official said intelligence on that is not definitive.
South Korea's semi-official Yonhap news agency reported the missiles were ready to launch, citing military sources in Seoul. They are likely Musudan missiles, U.S. officials said. They would have a 2,500-mile range and could threaten South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia.
It is believed a missile launch would be a "test" launch rather than a targeted strike.
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