By Levels of Xenon were found to be high times their normal amount on May 15th.
Abnormally high radiation levels were detected near the border between the two Koreas days after North Korea claimed to have mastered a complex technology key to manufacturing a hydrogen bomb, Seoul said Monday.
The Science Ministry said its investigation ruled out a nuclear test by North Korea, but failed to determine the source of the radiation. It said there was no evidence of a strong earthquake, which follows an atomic explosion.
On May 12, North Korea claimed its scientists succeeded in creating a nuclear fusion reaction — a technology necessary to manufacture a hydrogen bomb. In its announcement, the North did not say how it would use the technology, only calling it a “breakthrough toward the development of new energy.”
South Korean experts doubted the North actually made such a breakthrough. Scientists around the world have been experimenting with fusion for decades, but it has yet to be developed into a viable energy alternative.
On May 15, however, the atmospheric concentration of xenon — an inert gas released after a nuclear explosion or and radioactive leakage from a nuclear power plant — on the South Korean side their shared border was found to be eight times higher than normal, according to South Korea’s Science Ministry.
South Korea subsequently looked for signs of a powerful, artificially induced earthquake. Experts, however, found no signs of a such a quake in North Korea, a ministry statement said.- Associated Press
If it wasn’t an underground test, then it has to be a reactor leak. After Chernobyl, the west learned about the disaster through higher than normal radiation readings.
BTW the photo above was the one connected to the Associated Press article by Yahoo News.
2:12 am on June 21st, 2010 1
It doesn't mean they succeeded. It definitely could be a reactor leak.
3:31 am on June 21st, 2010 2
This could be huge if it's a reactor leak. It would be another sign of a decaying regime esp in this case since NK uses their nuclear technology to flex it's muscles.
7:42 am on June 21st, 2010 3
This sounds strange:
"It said there was no evidence of a strong earthquake, which follows an atomic explosion."
I would accept "strong seismic shock", but I haven't heard of earthquakes following atomic blasts. I would also expect an EMP, which should be easily measurable from stations near and far.
8:04 am on June 21st, 2010 4
Nuclear fission produces, among many other things, radioactive xenon. If that occurred in a reactor, it didn't produce the temperature and pressure needed for fusion. If it occurred in an explosion, which could produce that temperature and pressure, there would have been seismic effects. So I don't think this xenon has any connection to fusion.
8:18 am on June 21st, 2010 5
I guess this could explain why they sank the Cheonan.
"In its announcement, the North did not say how it would use the technology…"
I doubt it's to produce electricity. Scientists in Europe are years away from producing a fusion power plant (when compared to cost of the cleanup of the Gulf of Mexico, it's ridiculous how little has been spent on developing fusion power.)
10:47 am on June 21st, 2010 6
"I would accept “strong seismic shock”, but I haven’t heard of earthquakes following atomic blasts."
That's exactly why there are several seismometers installed in South Korea.
11:01 am on June 21st, 2010 7
The high Xenon levels in Korea looks to be some sort of conspiracy involving an American company.
I report, you decide.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12261_7-10206899-51….
9:59 am on June 22nd, 2010 8
Or, it could just be another intentional hoax. They lie all the time about these things. They had a bad nuke test where only a small fraction of energy was released, but claimed it was successful. They launched multiple ballistic missiles and claimed they were satellites. They like to lie about things in ways dumb people are inclined to believe.
6:03 am on June 26th, 2010 9
BDIEGO 8, do you mean the initial report coming out of South Korea was false? There was no unusual xenon?