Little Known Volcanoes That Exist in China
EducationLittle Known Volcanoes That Exist in China
China is one of the largest countries in the world. Despite its huge size, there are only few volcanoes in the country and none of these had erupted for hundreds of years now (with a few exceptions) – a geologic feature that the Chinese people enjoy. Although there were no volcanic eruptions in China for many centuries now, the country is frequently hit by strong earthquakes and most of the deadliest and most destructive in world history were recorded in China.
Here are some of the little known volcanoes that exist in China.
Baekdu Mountains
Baekdu Mountain is a volcanic mountain shared by China and North Korea. To the Chinese, it is known as Changbai Mountain and Baitou Mountain. To the North Koreans, it is known as Baekdu San which means “white-headed mountain”. The mountain is well known for its beautiful crater lake known as “Heaven Lake” located atop the mountain. This stratovolcano has elevation of 2,744 meters making it the highest mountain in North Korea. This volcano was created in 969 CE and it’s last eruption was in 1903.
Turfan Volcano
The Turfan volcano is a volcano located near Turpan City. There were recorded eruptions of the volcano during the reign of the Song Dynasty and its last known eruption was in 1120 CE. It is also known as the Volcano of Ho-tscheu or Bischbalik.
Jingpo Lake
Lake Jingpo, which is located in Wanda Mountains in Ningan County, Heilongjiang, was created about 10,000 years ago through volcanic eruptions in the region. This lake is well known for its craggy limestone cliffs and its turquoise waters that contain 40 fish species fish and fresh water coral. It is also called Lake Jingbo and formerly known by a variety of names such as Huhanhai Lake, Meituohu Lake and Bi’erteng Lake. Its last known eruption was in 520 BCE.
Kunlun Mountains
The Kunlun Mountains, one of Asia’s longest mountain chains extending more than 3,000 km, is a region in China that contains more than 70 volcanoes. Kunlun Volcanoes are the highest volcanoes in China and in Asia situated at an elevation of 5,808 meters. The last known eruption was more than 60 years ago in May 1951.
Leizhou Bandao
The Leizhou Bandao in Guandong Province in southern China is the country’s third largest peninsula with an area of 8,500 km² and is the most southerly point of China on the continent. The area is noted for the numerous inactive volcanoes and is known for its many beaches. It is also known as Leizhou Peninsula. Its last known eruption was during the Holocene period.
Tengchung County
Tengchong County, located in Yunnan Province in southwest China, is famous for its volcanic activity. The volcanoes on Dayingshan, Shitoushan, the Lesser Heikongshan and the Greater Heikongshan Mountains erupted repeatedly. The county seat is surrounded by a group of young volcanoes. Tengchong County, with an area of 5,693 km², is located in Hengduan Mountains. Its last eruption occurred in 5050 BCE.
Cone of Pechan in the Tianshan Volcanic Group
The Tianshan Volcanic Group, a volcanic field in the Tianshan Mountains in northwest China, is where the historically active “Cone of Pechan” is located. The volcano is 440 km southwest of Urmqui, Xinjiang. This volcano is also known by various names such as Aghie, Peishan, Baishan, Hochan, Bichbalick, Khala, and Boschan. Its last known eruption was in 650 CE.
Wudalianchi
Wudalianchi is a volcano located in Wudalianchi County in Heilongjiang Province. It has an elevation of 597 meters and its last known recorded eruption was in 1776.
Other volcanoes in China
- Honggeertu – last known eruption – Holocene period
- Keluo Group – last known eruption – Holocene period
- Longgang Group – last known recorded eruption was in 350 CE
See also