A 2.9 magnitude earthquake has been recorded close to a nuclear testing site in North Korea, a US-based monitor has said, fuelling fears the country has tested another hydrogen bomb.

The US Geological Survey said it had recorded the quake around 23km north-east of Sungjibaegam – a known North Korean nuclear testing site.

Although analysts cannot be 100 per cent certain the quake is the result of a nuclear test, it shares many "characteristics" with past tests.

Pyongyang's last known nuclear test occurred on 3 September but caused an earthquake with a much greater magnitude of 6.3. The action drew widespread condemnation including from the UN.

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The North Korean regime has stepped up its nuclear and missile testing over the past year as tensions between it and the US become increasingly fraught.

On Thursday, the North Korean foreign minister accused US President Donald Trump of having "lit the wick of war" between the two countries and warned that America would be made to pay with a "hail of fire".

It is feared that the regime is close to being able to make a nuclear warhead small enough to fit on the end of a missile.

Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Show all 6 1 /6 Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Photos released by North Korea show Kim Jong-un talking to subordinates next to a device thought to be the new thermonuclear weapon. There is no way of independently verifying the pictures STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korea claims it has successfully tested an advanced hydrogen bomb which could be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A diagram on the wall behind Mr Kim shows a bomb mounted inside a cone STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) attending a photo session with participants of the fourth conference of active secretaries of primary organisations of the youth league of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters

Its missile tests have already demonstrated it is capable of hitting Japan and analysts say it will be able to reach the mainland US within two years.

During an address to the UN General Assembly in September, Mr Trump claimed the US would "totally destroy North Korea" in the event of war and warned that while the US has "great strength and patience" its options for dealing Pyongyang could soon run out.

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He went further by repeatedly mocking North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, referring to him as "Rocket Man" and saying he was on a "suicide mission".

The test came as US White House Chief of Staff General John Kelly said he though the North Korean nuclear threat was "manageable".

Although Mr Trump thought diplomatic attempts to negotiate with North Korea were a "waste of time", Gen Kelly said he hopes diplomatic measures will work before the nation develops further weapons.

He said there's already "great concern" about Americans who live in Guam. North Korea in August threatened to fire a salvo of intermediate range missiles toward the US Pacific island territory, a major military hub home to US bombers that periodically fly missions over the divided Korean Peninsula.

"Right now we think the threat is manageable," he said, but added the situation would become more problematic over time if North Korea's capability "grows beyond where it is today".

"Let's hope that diplomacy works," he added.