Abstract China has a rich record of Holocene volcanism that is relatively little known outside the country. It is encountered in large stratovolcanoes in the NE, linked to subduction of the Pacific plate (e.g. Changbaishan), in smaller volcanoes on the Tibetan margin, associated with the collision of India and Eurasia (e.g. Tengchong, Ashishan), and in more isolated centres, possibly resulting from mantle upwelling (e.g. volcanoes in Hainan island). This makes China a natural laboratory for studies of intraplate volcanism, and significant progress in understanding its nature and origins has been made over the past quarter century. Here, we introduce the first publication in English to provide a comprehensive survey of the state of knowledge and research highlights. Accordingly, we provide an overview of the dynamics, geology, geochemistry, volcanic histories and geophysical studies of 14 volcanic areas associated with the Holocene documented thus far. The special publication represents a benchmark reference on the topic but, as importantly, we hope that it will stimulate new, international collaborations aimed at deepening our understanding of the origins, history, hazards and associated risks of China's volcanoes.

Abstract The Tengchong Volcanic Field (TVF) is one of the youngest volcanic areas in China, and is located in the southwestern part of Yunnan Province, China, adjacent to the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian plates. This paper summarizes the results of previous research on the eruption history, petrochemistry and geodynamic background of the TVF and presents a detailed analysis of the available data. Eruptions took place from the Pliocene to the Holocene and were divided into five stages. The composition of the magma went through two cycles: the N 2 − Q P 1 − Q P 2 volcanic rocks went through the evolutionary process from basalt to dacite and the Q P 3 − Qh magma evolved from trachybasalt to trachyte. The evolution of magma is mainly related to the fractional crystallization of pyroxene and ilmenite. The mantle source area of the TVF volcanic rocks was caused by mixing between the mid-ocean ridge basalt-source mantle and the eastern Indian continental margin sediments to different degrees. Geophysical data also showed that the Indian plate has been subducted under the TVF area. There are also magma chambers in the crust within a depth of 25 km in the TVF that are replenished by mantle magma.

Abstract Volcanic eruptions, despite causing large-scale disasters, also provide important natural resources and are an effective way to understand the Earth's internal structure and its evolution. Herein, a comprehensive review is presented on recent progress in geophysical imaging of the structure and origin of intraplate volcanoes in Mainland China. We primarily focus on the Changbaishan, Wudalianchi, Tengchong, Hainan and Ashikule volcanoes as they are currently active and hence pose potential hazards during future eruptions, particularly the Changbaishan volcano. The Changbaishan and Wudalianchi volcanoes are widely believed to be caused by the dehydration of the stagnant Pacific slab in the mantle transition zone along with wet upwelling in the big mantle wedge. There are a number of different views regarding the formation mechanism of the Tengchong volcano. Some studies suggest that a big mantle wedge structure is also present under eastern Tibet, and the Tengchong volcano has a deep origin, similar to volcanism in NE China. Others suggest that the Tengchong volcano is caused by a local and shallow process. Most tomographic studies suggest that the Hainan volcano is a hotspot, and its track has been located in SE China by combining seismological, geochemical and numerical modelling data. A gap exists between the subducted Indian Plate and the Tarim lithosphere beneath the Ashikule volcano, which provides a channel for asthenospheric upwelling to give rise to intraplate volcanism in the Ashikule basin. The interactions of lithospheres may produce shear heating of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle, which can generate localized melting. This process has been proposed as an explanation for the intraplate volcanism in Ashikule.

Abstract China has numerous active volcanoes, and more than 10 erupted in the Quaternary. Although a modern eruption event has not occurred in China, the potential risk from volcanic hazards should be noted. With the development of geodetic technologies including the Global Positioning System (GPS), levelling and interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), volcanologists can now detect the present-day deformation state of China's active volcanoes. In this paper, we summarize the present-day deformation patterns, magma sources and magma plumbing systems of China's active volcanoes between 1970 and 2013. The results show that the most active volcano in China is the Changbaishan volcano; it showed significant inflation from 2002–03, with the deformation becoming gradually weaker after 2003, indicating that it had been experiencing a magma process during 2000–10. A point source at a depth of c. 10 km was responsible for the observed deformation. The Leiqiong volcanic field showed a trough pattern deformation during 2007–10, which was interpreted as a dyke intrusion model. Fluctuant deformation patterns were shown in the Tengchong volcanic field. The Longgang volcanic field had experienced a volcano-wide uplift during the 1970s and 1990s. Deformation was observed in the Tatun volcanic field from 2006–13, and two shallow sources account for the observed deformation. These volcanoes merit further monitoring given possible evidence of deformation. No obvious deformation related to volcanic activity was observed at the Ashikule volcanic field from 2003–11. The results provide a basic introduction to the deformation state of China's active volcanoes, and may be helpful for evaluating the activity levels of China's volcanoes and mitigating the risks of future volcanic hazards.

Abstract Following decades of geological surveys and studies, 14 active volcanic fields 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 thus been established in the past 40 years. This work reviews China's national capability and history of volcano monitoring, with emphasis 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 observatories in China. The monitoring network of the CTVO incorporates 11 seismic and 15 GPS stations, two levelling routes and three gas geochemistry sampling points. The Changbaishan–Tianchi Volcano experienced unrest during 2002–05, 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 incorporates eight seismic stations, 20 GPS points, 95 levelling points and three 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, Jingbohu Volcano Observatory, Wudalianchi Volcano Observatory and Qiongbei Volcano Observatory. 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.

Abstract In this study, we collect and translate observations and witness accounts suggestive of volcanic eruptions in ancient and modern China. The documents from the literature covered confirmed volcanic eruptions and suspected volcanic events. Recorded events concerning Tianchi ( c. 946 AD), Wudalianchi (1720, 1721) and Ashikule (1951) volcanoes relate to confirmed volcanic eruptions. Detailed records of Tianchi eruptions in historical documents span from 946 to 1903 AD. The real-time observations of the 1720–21 eruptions recorded by the government are presented. They describe a violent explosion and the development of lava flows at Laoheishan volcano. Evidence for events suggestive of volcanic activity are also presented for Dayingshan (1609, Tengchong), Man'anling (1883, Haikou), Chahayan (Heilongjiang), the South China Sea, Kui-shan Tao (late 1770s, Taiwan) and Penjia Islet (19 May 1916 and 29 June 1927, Taiwan). However, some supposed historical volcanic activities including Helanshan (Ningxia), Datong volcano, Rendagou (Sichuan) and Shizishan (Hunan) remain highly suspect according to their unclear positions and rough geological settings. These events may arise from the spontaneous combustion of coal. Records in Tianshan and Beiting Beishan (Xinjiang) may represent mud volcanoes. One case of an ancient Chinese Fengshui master interpreting geological processes from mythology is helpful when inspecting volcanology-related myths.