A 38 North exclusive with analysis by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jack Liu and Frank Pabian. 
 
 After almost eight weeks of elevated activity at the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site, commercial satellite imagery from April 16 indicates little activity around the North Portal, the tunnel that North Korea appears to have been preparing for another nuclear test. Imagery does show what may be three volleyball games underway at different locations throughout the facility, and possibly another volleyball net set up at the command center area.[1] 
 
 At the North Portal, the pumping of water out of the tunnel to maintain an optimal environment for instrumentation and stemming seems to have ceased. This could mean that the tunnel has been completely sealed or that the North may have installed drainage pipes instead of using open ditches. The vehicles or trailers that were previously observed near the portal or on nearby roads are gone. Three mining carts are present on the spoil pile and there appears to have been some minor dumping of material there in the past few days. 
 
 Based on available imagery, the status of the test site remains unclear. While activities over the past few weeks are similar to those seen prior to previous tests, possible explanations for the most recent developments are: 
 
 The site and associated preparations for a sixth nuclear test have transitioned to a “stand-by” status, with personnel being allowed some down-time for recreation. Since the North Koreans are aware of when commercial satellites will fly overhead, the presence of personnel at play (with what looks like the normal six players on each side) may be a way of signaling that a decision has been made to place the test on hold.[2] 
 
 Pyongyang has initiated a tactical pause in activity at the test site as part of an overall deception plan, delaying the sixth nuclear test until a time when a detonation would achieve the greatest political advantage. The North has engaged in such practices in the past. The most notable instance was the satellite launch from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in December 2012, when North Korean press reported technical problems with the Unha space launch vehicle after it was loaded onto the launch pad, but then proceeded to launch it the next day. 
 
 Regardless, satellite imagery continues to indicate that the Punggye-ri nuclear test site appears able to conduct a sixth nuclear test at any time once the order is received from Pyongyang. 
 
 Figure 1. Only minor activity seen at the North Portal. 
 
 Figure 2. Recent dumping seen on the North Portal’s spoil pile. 
 
 Figure 3. Probable volleyball game seen at the Main Administrative Area. 
 
 Figure 4. Probable volleyball game seen at the command center support area. 
 
 Figure 5. Probable volleyball game seen near the guard barracks. 
 
 Figure 6. Possible volleyball net seen in the command center area. 
 
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 [1] Volleyball is a popular sport in North Korea and satellite imagery often identifies games in progress throughout the nation. Personnel playing volleyball at the Punggye-ri nuclear test facility have also been identified on a number of occasions as far back as 2006 after the first nuclear test and more recently in February. To date, however, there have been no instances of three concurrent volleyball games. 
 
 [2] The orbital timetables of commercial imaging satellites are well known and available on the internet. There is even an Android or iOS App for it. ||||| A 38 North exclusive with analysis by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. and Jack Liu. 
 
 While commercial satellite imagery of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site from March 28 showed heightened activity, imagery from March 29 shows considerably less. At the North Portal, no vehicles or trailers are readily visible anymore, which suggests that whatever was underway over the past four days is either done or the nature of it has changed. If the activity was test related, it would suggest that preparations are complete and that a test could occur at any time. However, based on satellite imagery alone, great caution should be used in making this determination. North Korea clearly understands that the world is watching and is undoubtedly, at some level, attempting to manipulate reporting about developments at Punggye-ri. For instance, the kind of “signaling” we have seen over the past few days was not observed before either of the nuclear tests in 2016. Similar activity was observed before the 2013 test, but that was before Pyongyang fully understood what we were looking for. Furthermore, satellite imagery alone cannot provide a precise answer as to when a new test will be conducted. 
 
 Update on Activity 
 
 At the North Portal, water is likely still being pumped out of the tunnel to ensure the reliability of instrumentation and maintain the integrity of any stemming that has been installed. However, water drainage is difficult to distinguish from melting snow. Paths through the snow suggest that guards have patrolled the perimeter security fence around the North Portal. Additionally, there appears to be continued dumping of material on the tailings/spoil pile to the east. This could be related to a final cleanup of the tunnel, or may also indicate new excavation. 
 
 Figure 1. Equipment appears to have been removed from the North Portal area. 
 
 Figure 2. Additional material has been recently dumped on the North Portal’s spoil pile. 
 
 The Main Administrative Area shows the greatest change over the past couple days. Neither the personnel nor the vehicle seen on March 28 are now present, although the melted snow and disturbed earth are evidence they were there. What may be a small collection of crates or trailers is now in the main courtyard. 
 
 Figure 3. No personnel are seen in the courtyard; some possible crates or trailers remain. 
 
 With the exception of one small vehicle (approximately 3.5-meters-long) at the Command Center area, no significant activity is observed elsewhere at Punggye-ri. 
 
 Figure 4. One small vehicle is seen at the Command Center area.
– North Korea looks to be preparing a third nuclear test, the AP reports: New photos show work on an underground tunnel—at the site of two earlier such tests—is nearly finished, say South Korean intelligence officials. "North Korea is covertly preparing for a third nuclear test, which would be another grave provocation," says the intelligence report, noting that dirt piled at the tunnel's opening indicates there's a "high possibility" Pyongyang could launch the test—soon. That's because plugging tunnels with dirt was the final step taken during its two previous nuclear tests at the Punggye-ri site, in 2006 and 2009. Meanwhile, the North is almost ready to start fueling a long-range rocket; it will be launched April 12-13, according to Pyongyang. While officials there say the rocket's goal is to send a satellite into space, the US fears the country is preparing a prohibited missile launch. The North has aimed to reassure journalists by inviting them to view preparations, Yonhap News reports. "If you look for yourselves with your own eyes, then you can judge whether it's a ballistic missile, or whether it's a launch vehicle to put a satellite into orbit," the launch site's boss told the group of the 100-foot-long red- and blue-painted rocket, according to CNN journalists who were present.