Geologic Background:
Baitoushan (Korean name P'aektu-san) is a large
stratovolcano on the Korea-Manchurian border Å300 km SE
of Changchun and 325 KM WSW of Vladivostok, Russia. The
60-km-diameter volcano was constructed over the
Changbaishan (Laoheidingz) shield volcano and has a
5-km-wide summit caldera. One of the world's largest
known Holocene explosive eruptions took place around 1000
A.D., depositing tephra as far away as N Japan and
forming in part the 850-m-deep depression filled by
Tianchi Lake. The much better exposed pyroclastic
deposits on the North Korean side are extremely thick and
include major ignimbrites.
Historic Activity:
- Four historical eruptions have been recorded since
the 15th century (1413, 1597, 1668, and 1702). These
historical events are thought to have been phreatic
explosions, and there have been possible occasional gas
emissions within approximately the last 50 years.
Recent Activity:
- A news report on Nov. 3, 1994, noted that gas
emissions from the summit are frequent, many minor
volcanic earthquake have been felt during the last two
years, and nearby hot springs were also emitting volcanic
gases.
Data Sources:
- Global Volcanism Network (V. 19, No. 10).
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