Changbaishan Volcano

Updated: Dec 2, 2025 08:04 GMT - refresh

stratovolcano

China / North Korea border, 41.98°N / 128.08°E

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Summit height: 2744 m / 9,003 ft

Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)

Last update: 10 Mar 2022 (increased seismic and degassing activity, deformation)

Astronaut photograph ISS006-E-43366 acquired April 4, 2003 (ISS Crew Earth Observations experiment and the Image Science & Analysis Group, Johnson Space Center)

Changbaishan (or Baitoushan) volcano is a large stratovolcano at the NE China - N Korean border and is and the most active in China.
It is also known as Tianchi, or in Korean as Baegdu or P'aektu-san (Paektusan) volcano.
One of the largest explosive eruptions in the world during the past 10,000 years occurred around 969 ±20 AD and is known as the Baitoushan eruption. It erupted about 30 cubic km of magma, about half as much as Tambora in 1815 AD or 3 times as much as Krakatau in 1883. The eruption produced rhyolitic and trachytic pumice and ash fall as far as northern Japan, and formed part of the present-day caldera.
Small eruptions have been recorded in historic times since the 15th century, the last being a small explosion in April 1903.
Out of China's 14 active volcanoes, Baitoushan is considered the most dangerous volcano. The major hazard are lahars from the huge lake in the 5-km-wide caldera that could threaten the mostly Korean population of about 100,000 living near or on the slopes of the volcano, as well as the many tourists visiting the volcano in summer.

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News/Updates | Earthquakes

Typical eruption style: explosive
Changbaishan volcano eruptions: 1903, 1898, 1702, 1668, 1597 (?), 1413 (?), 969 AD ±20 (large Plinian eruption VEI 7), 180 BC ± 75 years, 1000 BC (?), 2160 BC ± 100 years

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Background

Changbaishan is relatively poorly known, due to its remote location. It contains a 5-km-wide, 850-m-deep summit caldera occupied by scenic Lake Tianchi ("Sky Lake").
The volcano has a diameter of 60 km and is composed dominantly of trachytic and rhyolitic lavas, overlying an older shield volcano known as the Changbaishan or Laoheidingzi shield volcano. There are numerous flank cones on a NNE rift zone.

Sources:
- Smithsonian / GVP Changbaishan volcano information
- Horn S, Schmincke H (2000) "Voltatile emission during the eruption of Baitoushan volcano (China/North Korea) ca. 969 AD" Bull Volc, v. 61, pp. 537-555
- V. G. Sakhno (2007) "Chronology of eruptions, composition, and magmatic evolution of the Paektusan Volcano: Evidence from K-Ar, 87Sr/86Sr, and δ18O isotope data", Geology, v. 412 (1), pp. 22-28
- Miyamoto T (2002) "The time sequence of eruption of Baitoushan volcano in 10th century and folktales about the eruption", Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2002, Abstract V032-003

Significant volcanic eruptions: Changbaishan volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Changbaishan has had at least 7 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 4 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 3 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Changbaishan volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Changbaishan volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Changbaishan can be found on the news page of Changbaishan volcano.

Date	Note	VEI
1903 Apr 15 ±45 d.	Liuhaojie tuff ring? Historical obs./docs.	?
1898	Historical obs./docs.	2?
1702 Jun 9	Historical obs./docs.	?
1668 AD Jun	Historical obs./docs.	?
?? 1597 AD Oct 6	Uncertain Eruption	?
?? 1413 AD	Uncertain Eruption	?
946 AD Nov 15 ±45 d.	Millennium Eruption	6
946 AD (eruption 946 AD Nov 15 ±45 d.)	Historical obs./docs.	7	Info
946 AD: Exact VEI and date unknown, but likely VEI 7 based on tephra volume of 9.6 ± 2.0 x 1010 m3. Year is 1000 +/40 based on corrected radiocarbon dating. One of the world's largest known Holocene explosive eruptions took place here about 946 CE, depositing rhyolitic and trachytic tephra as far away as northern Japan and forming in part the present caldera. Minor historical eruptions have been recorded since the 15th century. Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
180 ±80 y. BC		4P
?? 1000 ? BC	Uncertain Eruption	?
2155 ±90 y. BC		4P

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Eruptions of Changbaishan volcano

2010 possible activity
According to an article in Science, a South Korean geologist claimed that Changbaishan showed signs of activity in June 2010, but Chines scientists deny such activity. ...more info

1994 gas emissions and hot springs
A news report on 3 Nov 1994 writes about gas emissions from the summit and hot springs, as well as many small volcanic earthquakes that could be felt in the past 2 years. ...more info

1903 eruption
The last confirmed eruption of Baitoushan was in April 1903 and produced white and pink comendite–rhyolite pumice and ashes with fiamme-like inclusions of black trachyte and trachyandesite rocks. The deposits are visible on the eastern and southern slopes of the volcano.

969 ± 20 AD Plinian eruption
One of the largest eruptions in the world during the past 10,000 years occurred around 969 ± 20 AD from Baitoushan volcano. The total volume of tephra has been estimated as 96 ±19 cubic km and ranks as VEI 7. Studies of the pumice fall deposit reconstruct an eruption column reaching 25 km altitude.
Despite the size of the eruption, it is not recorded in historical documents, but there are tales that possibly refer to it in several local legends. ...more info

Changbaishan Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Changbaishan volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Changbaishan occurred in 1903.

+How often does Changbaishan volcano erupt?

Since 1668 AD, Changbaishan volcano has had at least 4 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 89 years.

+How active is Changbaishan volcano at present?

Changbaishan volcano is occasionally active: Since 1900, it has had one eruption, which occurred in 1903.

+When was the largest eruption of Changbaishan volcano?

The largest eruption known from the younger geological history of Changbaishan volcano occurred in 946 AD. It ranks as a strombolian to vulcanian eruption with a magnitude 2 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

Changbaishan Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).