NewScientist<\/strong><\/em> (23 April 2016) is on the story<\/a>.<\/p>\n Paektu\u2019s last eruption, a thousand years ago, is the second largest<\/strong><\/a> ever recorded, topped only by the eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia in 1815<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it erupted, it would have impacts way beyond Korea and China,\u201d says James Hammond<\/a> of Birkbeck, University of London, one of the scientists involved.<\/p>\n Yet despite is size and the potential impact of an eruption, little is known about this enigmatic volcano.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n National Geographic<\/strong><\/em> gives an overview<\/a>:<\/p>\n Unlike most volcanoes on Earth, Mount Paektu isn\u2019t located where tectonic plates collide. It\u2019s parked in the middle of a plate, at least 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) away from the massive subduction zone that created the Japanese islands. Simply put, Mount Paektu shouldn\u2019t really be there.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s one of the big mysteries,\u201d Iacovino says.<\/p>\n For North Koreans, Mount Paektu is sacred. It\u2019s their national emblem, and it is believed to be the birthplace of the founder of the first Korean kingdom. Small villages are sprinkled on its flanks, and in the summer, the surrounding area is covered in blueberries.<\/p>\n Higher up, hot springs and gassy vents hint at the mountain\u2019s still beating volcanic heart, and a pool called Heaven Lake sits in the crater at its summit. On the Chinese side of the mountain, there\u2019s a national park that is a popular destination for tourists and hikers.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n From World Atlas<\/strong><\/em><\/a>:<\/p>\n Right on the Chinese border is Paektu-san. The Chinese are also interested, for obvious reasons.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" North Korea and the West are working together\u00a0– but not about what you may think. As dangerous as it may be for the DPRK to have nuclear weapons, there’s something far worse lurking in its backyard. Mount Paektu. NewScientist (23 April 2016) is on the story. Paektu\u2019s last eruption, a \u2026 Continue reading ![\"Map](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.worldatlas.com\/img\/areamap\/a31eed64634340ec5d01a7f246095329.gif?w=800\")
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