Mount Paektu

Mount Paektu, also known as Mount Baekdu or Changbai Mountain, is an active stratovolcano located on the border between China and North Korea. Standing at 2,744 meters (9,003 feet), it is the tallest mountain in both North Korea and Northeast China. The highest peak, called Janggun Peak, is in North Korean territory.

The mountain features a large caldera containing Heaven Lake, a beautiful crater lake. It is also the source of three important rivers: the Songhua, Tumen, and Yalu. Many Korean and Manchu people view the mountain as a place of great myth and meaning, believing it to be their ancestral homeland.

A massive eruption in the year 946 created the caldera and was one of the largest volcanic eruptions on Earth in the past 5,000 years. The volcano last erupted in 1903 and experts think it may erupt again roughly every hundred years. Because of this, scientists have studied the mountain closely in recent years. Mount Paektu holds deep cultural significance for Korean, Chinese, and Manchu people, and it appears in symbols such as North Korea's national emblem. The Manchu people regard it as their ancestral home, and for many years, China and North Korea have shared responsibility for the mountain.

Names

Mount Paektu has had many names throughout history. In ancient Chinese texts, it was called Bùxiánshān. Over time, it was known by several other names such as Shànshàndàlǐng and Dutàishān. The name we use today in China, Chángbáishān, meaning "ever white mountain," first appeared during the Liao dynasty.

In Korean, the mountain is called Baekdusan or Paektusan, meaning "white-head mountain." This name first appeared in records from the year 991. It has also been called Taebaeksan, meaning "great-white mountain," in other Korean texts. The Mongolian name for the mountain is Öndör Tsagaan Aula, which translates to "lofty white mountain."

Current geography and geology

Mount Paektu stands at 2,744 meters (9,003 feet) tall, making it the highest mountain in both North Korea and Northeast China. It is part of the Baekdu-daegan and Changbai mountain ranges.

This mountain is a stratovolcano with a large, round top called a caldera. The middle part of the mountain grows about 3 millimeters each year because of hot liquid rock, called magma, moving below it. Around the edge of this round top are sixteen peaks that rise higher than 2,500 meters (8,200 feet). The highest point, named Janggun Peak, has snow covering it for about eight months every year. The sides of the mountain slope up gently until they reach about 1,800 meters (5,910 feet).

A big lake called Heaven Lake sits inside this round top. The lake measures about 12 to 14 kilometers (7.5 to 8.7 miles) around, and its deepest point reaches 384 meters (1,260 feet). From mid-October until mid-June, the lake is usually covered in ice. Water from the lake flows north, and near where it leaves the lake, there is a waterfall that drops 70 meters (230 feet). Mount Paektu is where the Songhua, Tumen, and Yalu rivers begin. The Tumen and Yalu rivers mark part of the border between North Korea, Russia, and China.

The weather on Mount Paektu can change quickly and sometimes becomes very harsh. At the top, the average temperature is about -4.9 °C (23.2 °F). In summer, temperatures can rise to around 18 °C (64 °F) or more, while in winter they can fall to -48 °C (-54 °F). The coldest ever recorded was -51 °C (-60 °F) on January 2, 1997. On average, January temperatures are about -24 °C (-11 °F) and July temperatures are around 10 °C (50 °F). The temperature stays below freezing for eight months of the year. Winds often blow at about 42 kilometers per hour (26 miles per hour), sometimes reaching up to 63 kilometers per hour (39 miles per hour). The air usually holds about 74% moisture.

Main article: Baekdu-daegan

Main article: Changbai

Main article: stratovolcano

Main article: caldera

Main article: magma

Main article: Heaven Lake

Main article: relative humidity

Geological history

Mount Paektu's beginnings are still a mystery. Scientists have two main ideas: it might be above a special hot spot, or it could be where a part of the Pacific Plate is sinking down.

About 5 million years ago, the mountain started erupting, creating wide flat areas with lava. Around 1 million years ago, the volcano began to take its cone shape, with many powerful eruptions happening thousands of years ago. Two very big eruptions, called Tianwenfeng and Millennium, stopped the mountain's growth for a while.

The big Millennium eruption happened in the year 946. It was one of the strongest eruptions in the last 5,000 years and created a large crater at the top of the mountain, now filled by a beautiful lake. People far away in Korea and Japan heard loud noises and saw ash falling from the sky after this eruption.

After these big eruptions, Mount Paektu had smaller eruptions in the years 1668, 1702, and 1903.

Flora and fauna

The lake at the peak of Mount Paektu is home to five known plant species, with around 168 types growing along its shores. The forest on the Chinese side is very old and has not been changed much by people. Near the top, you’ll find mostly birch, while lower down, pine trees grow along with other plants. Unfortunately, many trees have been cut down on the lower slopes on the North Korean side.

This area is a home for many animals, including Siberian tigers, bears, wolves, and wild boars. The forests cover the mountain up to about 2,000 meters (6,600 ft) and are a special place for birds. You can find black grouse, owls, and woodpecker here. BirdLife International has named this spot an important area for birds because it helps protect scaly-sided mergansers.

Cultural history

The mountain has been important and respected by people living around it for a long time. Many Koreans and Manchus see it as a sacred place, especially Heaven Lake in its crater.

In Korean stories, the mountain is where Dangun, the first leader of Gojoseon, was born. Many Korean kingdoms knew and told this story. Later leaders wrote about the mountain and its eruptions. The mountain appears in songs and symbols of both North and South Korea.

For the Manchus, the mountain was also very important in their beliefs. Leaders from their family, who ruled part of China, connected their history to the mountain. They visited it and held special ceremonies there. The mountain’s name is used for many things in Korea, like rockets and computers.

Sovereignty disputes

According to the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, the Yalu and Tumen Rivers were set as borders a long time ago. Later, in 1712, leaders from Korea and the Manchu people made an agreement about the border near a lake at the top of the mountain.

In 1909, an agreement between China and Japan said that the north and east of the mountain belong to China. In secret talks in 1962 and 1964, China and North Korea made agreements about their borders, giving North Korea some land around the mountain. However, not everyone agrees with this, and some in South Korea still believe the mountain should be theirs.

Tourism

Many people from China, Russia, South Korea, and other countries visit Mount Paektu, mostly from the Chinese side. The North Korean side is also visited by tourists coming to North Korea.

On the North Korean side, there are interesting monuments and natural spots. Paektu Spa is a natural spring used for bottled water. Pegae Hill was once a camp for soldiers fighting against colonial rule. There are also waterfalls, such as Hyongje Falls, and a funicular railway that helps people travel up the mountain.