The Qixiangzhan eruption, Changbaishan-Tianchi volcano, China/DPRK: new age constraints and their implications

Abstract

Zircon double dating (ZDD) of comendite lava reveals an eruption age of 7.0 ± 0.9 ka for the Qixiangzhan eruption (QXZ), Changbaishan-Tianchi volcano, China/DPRK. This age is supported by new 40Ar/39Ar sanidine experiments and a previous age control from charcoal at the base of the QXZ. The revised age supports correlations with distal ash in Eastern China and Central Japan and establishes a significant (estimated at Volcanic Explosivity Index 5+) eruption that may provide a useful Holocene stratigraphic marker in East Asia. The new age indicates that the QXZ lava does not record a ca. 17 ka Hilina Pali/Tianchi geomagnetic field excursion but rather a heretofore unrecognized younger Holocene excursion at ca. 7–8 ka. Comparison between U–Th zircon crystallization and ZDD as well as 40Ar/39Ar sanidine ages indicates a protracted period of accumulation of the QXZ magma that extends from ca. 18 ka to the eruption age. This connotes an eruption that mixed remobilized early formed crystals (antecrysts) from prior stages of magma accumulation with crystals formed near the time of eruption. Based on these results, a recurrence rate of ca. 7–8 ka for the Changbaishan-Tianchi magma system is found over the last two major eruption cycles.

Revisiting the Tianwen Yellow Pumice (TYP) Eruption of Changbaishan Volcano: Tephra Correlation, Eruption Timing and Its Climatostratigraphical Context

“…29.8 ka (this study) TYP eruption producing the yellow to gray lapilli fall deposit, the ca. 8–7 ka (Pan et al., 2020, 2022; Sun et al., 2018) Qixiangzhan clastogenic lava flow eruption and the 946 CE (Oppenheimer et al., 2017; Sigl et al., 2015; Xu et al., 2013) ME that produced light gray to black lapilli fall deposits (Chen et al., 2016). Evidence presented by Sun et al.…”

“…References for geochemical data of distal Changbaishan tephras: B‐Tm (Chen et al., 2016), B‐Sg‐08 (McLean et al., 2018), B‐V (Derkachev et al., 2019), B‐Un1 (Derkachev et al., 2019), B‐Sg‐42 (McLean et al., 2020), B‐J (Ikehara et al., 2004), B‐Sado (Derkachev et al., 2019), and B‐Ym (Lim et al., 2013). References for stratigraphic and chronological data of proximal volcanic stratigraphy: Millennium Eruption (Chen et al., 2016; Oppenheimer et al., 2017; Sigl et al., 2015; Xu et al., 2013), Qixiangzhan (QXZ, Pan et al., 2020, 2022; Sun et al., 2018).…”

“…Ikehara et al, 2004), B-Sado (Derkachev et al, 2019), and B-Ym (Lim et al, 2013). References for stratigraphic and chronological data of proximal volcanic stratigraphy: Millennium Eruption Oppenheimer et al, 2017;Sigl et al, 2015;Xu et al, 2013), Qixiangzhan (QXZ, Pan et al, 2020Pan et al, , 2022Sun et al, 2018).…”

“…29.8 ka (this study) TYP eruption producing the yellow to gray lapilli fall deposit, the ca. 8-7 ka (Pan et al, 2020(Pan et al, , 2022Sun et al, 2018) Qixiangzhan clastogenic lava flow eruption and the 946 CE (Oppenheimer et al, 2017;Sigl et al, 2015;Xu et al, 2013) ME that produced light gray to black lapilli fall deposits . Evidence presented by Sun et al (2017) and Yun et al ( 2023) also shows that there might be several small-scale activities postdating the ME, which require further verification.…”

Dynamics of Explosive Eruptions of Changbaishan Volcano, NE China, since the late Pleistocene from the Composition and Texture of Pumice

“…It is commonly accepted that this volcano has undergone several explosive eruptions since the late Pleistocene, i.e., the >42 ka Tianwenfeng (TWF) eruption (Pan et al 2020), AD 946 Millennium Eruption (ME) (Xu et al 2013;Oppenheimer et al 2017), AD 1668 eruption, AD 1702 eruption, and AD 1903 eruption (Liu 2000;Wei et al 2007). Effusive activity also took place around ~7-8 ka, which produced the Qixiangzhan (QXZ) lava flow (Liu 2000;Pan et al 2020Pan et al , 2022. Several explosive eruptions produced the Tianchi caldera (approximately 4,400 meters long from north to south and 3,370 meters wide from east to west) (Fig.…”