Changbai Mountain Volcanic Group

Changbai Mountain Volcanic Group

Changbai Mountain Volcanic Group. Changbai Mountain is part of the ancient Xia continent and is a well-known dormant volcano. About 600 million years ago, this area was an ocean. From ancient times to the Mesozoic era, after the Earth underwent the Caledonian, Variscan, Yanshan, and Himalayan movements, the seawater finally retreated from this ancient land that had endured much change. The crust in the Changbai Mountain area then underwent a series of fractures and uplifts. Basalt magma flowing from underground erupted in large quantities along the cracks in the earth's crust, thus marking the beginning of Changbai Mountain’s volcanic activity.

More than 100 volcanoes are distributed around Changbai Mountain. The largest crater is about 2,600 meters above sea level, with a diameter of 4.5 kilometers, shaped like a funnel and over 800 meters deep. Its landscape is unique and rarely seen in China.

The smaller cones nearby are around 1,000 meters above sea level. Most of their craters are overflow outlets, shaped like chairs or crescents, with flat summits. Notable ones include Xiemao Dingzi, Dongmao Dingzi, Xitu Dingzi, Dutu Dingzi, Xima’anshan, Dama’anshan, Chifeng, and Laofangzi Xiaoshan. These numerous small volcanoes surround Changbai Mountain like stars, forming a spectacular volcanic group.

The Tianchi volcano of Changbai Mountain is currently the most intact Cenozoic polygenetic composite volcano within China. The massive eruption of Tianchi volcano between 1199 and 1201 was the largest eruption event in the past 2,000 years globally, with volcanic ash falling as far as the Sea of Japan and northern Japan. Changbai Mountain is a dormant active volcano. Although it has been dormant for 300 years, it is not uncommon for volcanoes dormant for centuries to erupt again. Geophysical surveys indicate signs of a crustal magma chamber beneath Tianchi. There is a risk of another eruption at Changbai Mountain Tianchi, which would be of the 0 type. Due to the presence of 2 billion tons of water in the lake, such an eruption could be even more destructive.

Since the Quaternary period, the Longgang Volcanic Group near Jingyu–Huinan on the western side of Changbai Mountain, covering nearly 2,000 square kilometers, features over 160 low and densely distributed volcanic cones, demonstrating characteristics of high-density, multi-center 0-type eruptions. It mainly consists of basaltic volcanic slag, volcanic bombs, volcaniclastic rocks, and a small amount of lava. The Longgang Volcano is one of the few Quaternary volcanoes in China that has shown eruptive activity in modern times. Changbai Mountain volcano has experienced multiple eruptions as well as long dormant periods. Since becoming active in the 16th century, it erupted three times—in August 1597, April 1688, and April 1702. The last eruption was about 300 years ago. The materials ejected from the Changbai Mountain volcano accumulated around the crater, causing the mountain to rise prominently and form concentric volcanic cones. The summits are covered with grayish-white pumice and volcanic ash, along with perennial snow, making the mountain appear as a snow-capped peak from afar. This is also how Changbai Mountain got its name.

In 1997, the national key project of the “Ninth Five-Year Plan,” “Monitoring and Research on Several Active Volcanoes in China,” was launched. The China Earthquake Administration began monitoring and research work in the Tianchi volcanic area of Changbai Mountain. After several years of study, experts concluded that Changbai Mountain is a dormant active volcano. Although it has been dormant for 300 years, it is not uncommon for volcanoes dormant for centuries to erupt again. Geophysical surveys indicate signs of a crustal magma chamber beneath Tianchi. There is a risk of another eruption at Changbai Mountain Tianchi, which would be of the 0 type. Due to the presence of 2 billion tons of water in the lake, such an eruption could be even more destructive. During the “Ninth Five-Year Plan” period, the China Earthquake Administration and the Jilin Provincial Earthquake Administration established a volcano monitoring station at Tianchi, including a digital seismic monitoring network, fixed deformation observation system, GPS mobile observation network, and geochemical observation network. The implementation of the “Ninth Five-Year Plan” project ended the unmonitored status of the Tianchi volcano. Based on current observations, there have been no signs of volcanic reactivation, so people can safely enjoy the abundant resources and beautiful scenery bestowed by nature at Tianchi.

Changbai Mountain

Wangtiane Scenic Area

Changbai Mountain Tianchi

Chengcha River

Changbai Mountain International Natural Ski Park

Changbai Hot Spring Group

Changbai Stone Forest Scenic Area

Baiyun Peak

Changbai Mountain Plateau Ice and Snow Sports Training Base

Tiger Back

Secluded Valley Forest

Changbai Mountain Waterfall

Changbai Mountain Northeast Tiger Forest Park

Niulang Ferry

Changbai Mountain Cold Spring

Changbai Mountain Grand Canyon

Little Tianchi of Changbai Mountain

Forest Sea at the Bottom of Changbai Mountain Valley