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Changbaishan

The Sacred Volcano of the China–Korea Border

Elevation

2,744 m

Last Eruption

1903

Type

Stratovolcano

Country

China-North Korea

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskLow
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity123 years agoHistoricalHistorically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Normal
No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database

Related Volcanoes

All China-North Korea Volcanoes
Explore by country
Stratovolcano Volcanoes
By volcano type
Jilin Province (China) / Ryanggang Province (North Korea)
Regional volcanoes

Interesting Facts

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The Millennium Eruption of 946 CE ejected an estimated 40–98 km³ of material, making it one of the five largest volcanic eruptions of the past 10,000 years.

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Heaven Lake (Tianchi) in the summit caldera sits at 2,189 m elevation with a maximum depth of 384 m and holds approximately 2 billion m³ of water.

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Tephra from the Millennium Eruption (the B-Tm layer) has been found in lake sediments in northern Japan — over 1,000 km from the volcano.

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Changbaishan is one of the world's most significant intraplate volcanoes — it sits far from any plate boundary, and its deep magmatic source remains scientifically debated.

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North Korea considers Changbaishan (Paektusan) the sacred birthplace of the Korean nation and features it on its national emblem.

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During the 2002–2005 unrest episode, over 3,000 volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded and the summit inflated by several centimeters.

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If Heaven Lake's 2 billion m³ of water were catastrophically released during an eruption, lahars could threaten the city of Jilin (population ~4 million) downstream.

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In an unprecedented collaboration, Western volcanologists were briefly permitted to install monitoring equipment on the North Korean side of the volcano in 2011–2012.

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The Changbaishan Hot Springs at the volcano's base reach 82°C — tourists cook eggs in the mineral-rich water.

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The Qing Dynasty declared Changbaishan the sacred ancestral homeland of the Manchu people and banned settlement in the region for over 200 years.

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Changbaishan receives over 2 million tourists annually on its Chinese side, making it one of the most visited volcanic sites in Asia.

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The volcano's trachytic-to-rhyolitic magma composition means its eruptions tend to be extremely explosive — similar to the most violent styles seen at Vesuvius and Pinatubo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Changbaishan still active?
Yes, Changbaishan is classified as an active volcano. Although the most recent confirmed eruption was a minor event in 1903, the volcano experienced significant unrest between 2002 and 2005 involving thousands of earthquakes, ground deformation, and elevated volcanic gas emissions. Geophysical studies have confirmed a large, partially molten magma body beneath the caldera. The Changbaishan Volcano Observatory continuously monitors the volcano with seismometers and GPS stations on the Chinese side. Volcanologists consider Changbaishan capable of future eruptions, with the Millennium Eruption of 946 CE demonstrating its potential for catastrophic events.
What was the Millennium Eruption?
The Millennium Eruption of Changbaishan occurred around November 946 CE and was one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions of the past 2,000 years. Rated VEI 6 (with some estimates suggesting VEI 7), it ejected an estimated 40–98 km³ of volcanic material. The eruption produced a massive Plinian column, generated pyroclastic flows reaching at least 40 km from the vent, and deposited the recognizable B-Tm tephra layer across northeastern China, the Sea of Japan, and as far as northern Hokkaido. The event formed much of the present summit caldera and caused devastating lahars in surrounding river valleys.
Could Changbaishan erupt again?
Yes, volcanologists consider a future eruption at Changbaishan possible and have identified it as one of the highest-risk volcanic systems in East Asia. The 2002–2005 unrest demonstrated that the magmatic system remains active, and geophysical data confirm a significant magma reservoir beneath the caldera. Predicting when an eruption might occur is not possible with current science. The recurrence interval since the Millennium Eruption exceeds 1,000 years, but smaller eruptions occurred more recently (1668, 1702, 1903). Monitoring is ongoing but limited on the North Korean side.
What is Heaven Lake at Changbaishan?
Heaven Lake (Tianchi in Chinese, Cheonji in Korean) is a volcanic crater lake filling the 5-km-wide, 850-m-deep summit caldera of Changbaishan. Situated at approximately 2,189 m elevation, it is one of the highest large crater lakes in the world, with a surface area of 4.9 km², maximum depth of 384 m, and an estimated volume of 2 billion m³. The lake remains frozen October through June. Its waters drain northward via the Erdaobai River, forming the 68-m Changbaishan Waterfall. The enormous water volume represents a major lahar hazard in the event of an eruption.
Why is Changbaishan sacred?
Changbaishan holds deep spiritual significance in both Chinese and Korean cultures. In Korean mythology, it is the birthplace of Dangun, the legendary founder of Gojoseon — the first Korean kingdom — in 2333 BCE. North Korea venerates the mountain as the claimed birthplace of Kim Jong-il. It appears on North Korea's national emblem and is referenced in South Korea's national anthem. For the Manchu people, Changbaishan is the ancestral homeland of the Qing Dynasty imperial clan, who declared it sacred and restricted access for over two centuries.
How tall is Changbaishan?
Changbaishan's summit reaches 2,744 m (9,003 ft) at Jiangjun Peak on the North Korean side of the caldera rim. It is the highest peak in both northeastern China and the Korean Peninsula. The caldera rim features 16 named peaks above 2,500 m. Prior to the 946 CE Millennium Eruption, the volcano was likely taller, as the massive eruption removed significant summit volume to create the present 5-km-wide, 850-m-deep caldera.
Can you visit Changbaishan?
Yes, Changbaishan is accessible from the Chinese side, where the national nature reserve receives over 2 million visitors annually. Three entrance routes serve the reserve: the North Slope (most popular), West Slope, and South Slope. Shuttle buses transport visitors near the caldera rim, followed by a 1,442-step climb to the Heaven Lake viewpoint. Other attractions include the 68-m Changbaishan Waterfall, the Underground Forest, and natural hot springs. The best visiting period is July–September. Access from the North Korean side is limited to organized group tours.
What would happen if Changbaishan erupted like the Millennium Eruption?
A repeat of the 946 CE Millennium Eruption would be a transnational catastrophe. Pyroclastic flows could devastate areas within 40+ km of the summit on both the Chinese and North Korean sides. The most acute secondary hazard would be catastrophic drainage of Heaven Lake's 2 billion m³, generating lahars flooding the Songhua, Yalu, and Tumen river valleys — potentially threatening cities including Jilin (population ~4 million). Ash fall would severely disrupt aviation across northeastern Asia, contaminate water supplies, and damage agriculture across a vast area.