Longgang volcano group, Volcanic field in Jilin Province, China.
The Longgang volcano group contains 164 volcanic centers, including crater lakes, maars, and volcanic cones scattered across a large area in northeast China. Visitors can see over 100 crater lakes, lava-dammed lakes, and peatlands throughout the region.
Volcanic activity occurred in three distinct phases, with the oldest rocks dating back roughly 27 million years. The main activity took place between 680,000 and 50,000 years ago.
The site became a national forest park in 1992, protecting the broadleaf and coniferous woodlands surrounding the crater lakes. The vegetation patterns around these water bodies still reflect how volcanic activity shaped the landscape.
The site is large, so plan to spend adequate time exploring and wear sturdy footwear to comfortably navigate the various geological features. Spring through autumn offers the best conditions for visiting and observing the lakes and forests.
The Jinlongdingzi cone produced a major eruption around 350 or 460 AD, scattering ash and triggering wildfires across the region. The forest patterns visible today in this area still reflect the impact of that ancient event.
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