Following decades of geological surveys and studies, 14 active volcanic field have been identified in China. Evidence for Holocene volcanism in several of these areas highlights the need to understand and monitor volcanic hazards in those regions. Six volcano observatories have been established in the past 40 years accordingly. This work reviews China's national capability and history of volcano monitoring, with emphases on the Changbaishan-Tianchi Volcano Observatory and the Tengchong Volcano Observatory. The Changbaishan-Tianchi Volcano Observatory (CTVO) was constructed in 1996 and began monitoring in 1999, with limited recorded observations dating back to 1973. Currently, CTVO is the largest and most advanced observatory in China. The monitoring network of the CTVO incorporates 11 seismic and 15 GPS stations, 2 leveling routes, 3 gas geochemistry sampling points. The Changbaishan-Tianchi volcano experienced unrest during 2002-2005, evidenced in elevated levels of seismicity and ground deformation, as well as shifts in gas geochemistry. After 2006, the volcano returned to quiescence, with activities at background levels as recorded in 1973-2001. The monitoring network of Tengchong Volcano Observatory (TVO) incorporates 8 seismic stations, 20 GPS points, 95 leveling points, and 3 gas geochemistry sampling points. The observations made since 1965 indicate significant seismicity, with more than 3000 events recorded in 2011, mostly related to regional tectonics. Tengchong is known for its widespread hot springs, with temperatures up to 105 °C recorded at Dagunguo spring. The four other observatories are Longgang Volcano Observatory (LVO), Jingbohu Volcano Observatory (JVO), Wudalianchi Volcano Observatory (WVO) and Qiongbei Volcano Observatory (QVO). They are equipped with seismic, geodetic, and geochemical monitoring equipment. These areas saw only low levels of activity over the past several decades, but related fault systems are relatively active. In a relatively short time, China has gained considerable experience in observatory design and volcano monitoring and has trained up a sizeable task force, laying the foundation for sustained volcano monitoring at the national level. Future efforts must focus on maintaining and expanding observational capacity, as well as gaining better dynamic understanding to inform volcano hazard assessment.
The Simao Basin is characterized by strong tectonic activity and frequent seismicity. This study investigated the hydrochemical characteristics of 21 thermal springs in the Simao Basin from 2018 to 2020. In this study period, the 2018 Mojiang M5.9 earthquake caused several hydrochemical changes. The results indicate that the Simao Basin contained saline spring waters, HCO3−-rich spring waters, and SO42−-rich spring waters. In the study area, the water chemistry types were controlled by stratum lithology. Saline springs flowed through red beds and dissolved large amounts of halite, which is a rich source of Cl−and Na+ ions. In the hot spring waters, Ca2+ (Mg2+) and HCO3− were mainly derived from the dissolution of carbonate minerals, gypsum, and anhydrite of Triassic rocks. The higher SO42- content in the hot spring waters was caused by the pyrite present in Ailaoshan metamorphic rocks. The reservoir temperatures (121–289 °C) in the Simao Basin were estimated by the silica-enthalpy mixing model equation and the silica-enthalpy diagram. The hot springs had higher reservoir temperatures (>250 °C) and were mainly located at the edges of the basin. Metamorphic rocks exposed in the region had low permeabilities and these springs was close to nearby deep faults that provided deep heat. In most springs, the concentrations of Ca2+ and HCO3− ions increased obviously before the 2018 Mojiang M5.9 earthquake; however, the concentrations of these ions decreased after the earthquake. The hydrogeochemical variations might be attributed to the vigorous water-rock interactions and the mixing of secondary fluids. The entry of cold shallow groundwater caused changes in the reservoir temperatures of some spring samples.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.