North Korea has hailed the "perfect success" of a hydrogen bomb test as its neighbouring rivals condemned the nation's sixth nuclear test.

Japan and South Korea recorded major tremors from a device designed for a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and several times more powerful than an atomic bomb.

A blast at 12.29pm local time in the northern North Korean province of Hamgyong was recorded as an artificial 5.6 magnitude quake by South Korea's weather agency and a 6.3 magnitude explosion by the US Geological Survey.

ITV News China Correspondent Debi Edward tweeted:

The blast came hours after Pyongyang issued images of Kim Jong-un inspecting the hydrogen bomb designed for ICBMs.

North Korean state TV later announced the "recent test" of a bomb with "unprecedentedly big power".

"The perfect success in the test of the H-bomb for ICBM ... marked a very significant occasion in attaining the final goal of completing the state nuclear force."

China's earthquake administration detected a second tremor of magnitude 4.6 minutes after the first from what it described as a "cave-in".

However, South Korea's weather agency said no second quake occurred.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned the action, saying: "It is absolutely unacceptable if North Korea did force another nuclear test, and we must protest strongly."

North Korea conducted two nuclear tests last year, the most recent in September, amid international alarm and condemnation led by the US.

The weapons tests include flight-testing developmental ICBMs and recently flying a ballistic missile over Japan as it bids to obtain a nuclear-armed missile.

US President Donald Trump, who is yet to respond to the latest suspected nuclear test, had said "all options are on the table" after the missile was fired over the Japanese island of Hokkaido.

Mr Trump warned North Korean leader Kim he faced "fire and fury" if he continued to pursue his nuclear ambitions.

In a written statement he said the "threatening and destabilising actions" only increased Pyongyang's isolation in the region and around the world.