From the two-dimensional inversion results in
Figure 8, there are clear low resistivity bodies and
electrical gradient zones at depth along the profile,
which correspond to low resistivity abnormal bodies
and fault structures at different depths. Because
Tianchi Volcano at Changbai Mountain is located on
the subduction zone of the Western Pacific Ocean,
and is affected by the compression of the Western
Pacific plate, the subduction produces tension in the
back arc area, and a series of northern oblique faults
developed near the shallow surface of the working
area. According to the characteristics of large
variation gradient and dense contour line, 11 fracture
structures are deduced along the profile. Most of the
shallow surface of the working area is covered by
volcanic debris and Quaternary sediments, which are
characterized by low resistance in the inversion
results. At depth (~20 km), the profile is
characterized by low resistance in the middle region
and high resistance at the south and north areas. The
high resistivity body corresponds to the relatively
high deep resistivity of the crystalline matrix rock
mass, and the middle low resistance corresponds to
the magma channel and the low resistivity anomaly
body. The magma channel located beneath Tianchi
Volcano is an erect structure and closed at about 10
km. At the bottom of the crater, the position
approximately 7 km north shows a clearly abnormal
body of low resistance, resistivity < 10Ω•m, which
connects with the magma channel. Based on these
characteristics, we propose that it may be a
developing magma chamber in the shallow surface.
The abnormal regions between C07 and C09 stations
and between C04 and C05 stations show two clear
nearly vertical low resistivity zones at a depth of
about 7 – 17 km, directly connecting with the below
low resistance body, suggesting that the low
resistivity zone is an active fault zone. With
increasing depth, the crust low resistivity anomaly
bodies are widely developed at depths of 13 – 30 km
approximately 20 km south of Tianchi Volcano,
suggesting that it may be active magma chamber.
There have been differing opinions about the
formation mechanism of volcanoes in northeast
China. A variety of viewpoints have been proposed
by prior researchers, and Tang Ji and others believe
that the modern volcanic activity in the northeast
region is closely related to the dewatering of the
subduction plate of the Western Pacific plate (Hu et
al., 2007; Tang et al., 2006). From the two-
dimensional inversion result model presented in this
study, we can see that the eruption of Changbai
Mountain volcano is closely related to the Western
Pacific plate.
6 CONCLUSIONS
Evaluating the possibility of an eruption of the
Changbai Mountain Tianchi Volcano has become an
important research topic in recent years. In this
study, the MT sounding method was applied to
detect deep electrical structures at Changbai
Mountain, and a nearly north-south observation
profile was surveyed across Tianchi Volcano. A
two-dimensional electrical structure model was
constructed, and the following conclusions obtained.
The electrical resistivity structure of Changbai
Mountain clearly shows the presence of a magma
channel beneath Tianchi Volcano; the magma
channel is closed at a depth of 10 km.
There is an obvious abnormal body of low
resistance, resistivity < 10Ω•m, which connects to
the magma channel. It lies about 7 km north from
the bottom of the crater, suggesting that it may be a
developing magma chamber in the shallow surface.
There are clearly two nearly vertical low
resistivity zones at a depth of 7 - 17 km located
between stations C07 and C09 and between stations
C04 and C05, directly connecting with the low
resistance body, suggesting that these low resistivity
zones are active fault zones.
With increasing depth, the crust low resistivity
anomaly bodies are widely developed at depths of
13 – 30 km approximately 20 km south of Tianchi
Volcano, suggesting that it may be an active magma
chamber.
A number of fault structures have developed in
the working area. According to the electrical
resistivity structure along the profile, 11 fracture
structures were deduced. Due to the extrusion
influence of the Western Pacific plate, a series of
extensional fracture structures inclined toward the
northwest have developed. The heat energy deep
underground is transmitted through the fault to
shallower depths, and a number of hot springs have
formed in the shallow space.
The exploration results obtained using the MT
sounding method show that Changbai Mountain has
a high potential eruption risk. Furthermore, the MT
sounding method performed well detecting the
spatial distribution and active state of the magma
capsule below the crater.