Three-Dimensional Electrical Structure Beneath the Changbaishan Volcano (NE China): Implications for Magmatic Plumbing Systems and Diverse Eruption Styles

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Authors: Lingqiang Zhao, Yan Zhan, Yaxuan Hu, Cong Cao, Qing Wang, Xiangyu Sun
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Abstract

As the largest and most active intracontinental volcanic system in Northeast Asia, the Changbaishan volcano (CBSV) complex encompasses multiple active edifices. Although all these volcanoes are influenced by asthenospheric upwelling triggered by Pacific Plate subduction, they display marked contrasts in magma composition and eruptive behavior. This study presents the first high-resolution, crust-to-mantle three-dimensional (3D) electrical resistivity model of the CBSV, constructed through densely sampled Magnetotelluric (MT) surveys and 3D inversion. The model reveals a trans-lithospheric magmatic network and a dynamic plumbing architecture, supporting a "deep-source homology and shallow differentiation" evolutionary paradigm for the volcanic field. Integrated analysis of electrical structures, seismic activity, and geodetic deformation further demonstrates ongoing magma recharge beneath the volcanic field. Our results highlight heterogeneous eruption potentials among the CBSV: Tianchi Volcano (TCV), the most prominent edifice, possesses a well-developed shallow magma reservoir and a complex, multi-level plumbing system, indicating a higher likelihood of large-scale eruptions and associated hazards. In contrast, Longgang Volcano (LGV), lacking a major shallow magma chamber, is more susceptible to smaller-scale, fault-controlled fissure eruptions. These findings provide critical theoretical insights and practical guidance for volcanic hazard assessment in the CBSV. More broadly, we propose a conceptual framework explaining the diversity of intracontinental eruption styles far from plate boundaries, emphasizing that fault architecture and topographic loading exert dominant control over magma transport pathways and eruption dynamics. This work advances the understanding of intracontinental volcanism from a "magma-composition-centered" perspective toward a "tectonic-melt coupling" framework, with far-reaching implications for global volcanic research.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Geophysical and Geoelectrical Methods Geological and Geophysical Studies Geological and Geochemical Analysis

Publication details

Journal / source
EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts
Publication date
13 March 2026
Language
EN