5. North Korea nuclear tests
Twice this year news came that North Korea tested nuclear weapons; in January and September. The test performed in January was the country’s fourth nuclear detonation and it happened underground, causing a 5.1 or 4.9 magnitude earthquake at the location, depending on who gave the information – the US Geological Survey or the China Earthquake Networks Center. The North Korean leaders said they successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, although South Korean agencies said it was most likely a fission bomb instead.
The country’s fifth test also took place underground and brought on numerous international condemnations. The result of the test was a 5.3 magnitude seismic shock, making this the largest nuclear test of the North Koreans.
