N. Korea: Scientists warn of volcanic activity (Mt. Baekdu at Sino-N. Korean border)

JoongAng Ilbo ^ | 06/19/10

[TigerLikesRooster]

Scientists warn of volcanic activity

June 19, 2010

South Korea is bracing for possible volcanic activity at Mount Paektu on the North Korean-Chinese border, after detecting topographical signs that indicate the dormant mountain may awaken within years, the weather agency said yesterday.

The last volcanic eruption at the 2,744-meter Mount Paektu was in 1903. It has since been considered inactive, but experts became concerned about a possible eruption after a magnitude-7.3 quake hit China’s northeastern Jilin Province in 2002.

Since then, minor tremors close to the peak have become 10 times more frequent, experts say. Historic records indicate volcanic activity has previously occurred on the mountain roughly every 100 years.

“We will come up with comprehensive countermeasures within this year at national levels and try to arrange international cooperation as well,” said Jeon Byung-sung, chief of the Korea Meteorological Administration in Seoul.

At a KMA seminar earlier this week, an expert said that Mount Paektu could erupt “within several years,” citing topographical signs and international studies. Some Chinese experts even predict that there may be an eruption between 2014 and 2015, said Yun Sung-whyo, a geology professor at Pusan National University.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Kim Jong-il's command bunker is in Mt. Baekdu. The area around it had been heavily fortified with underground fortresses. This is where he and his loyalists would make their last stand when push comes to shove. Now the mountain is acting up. Factor in nukes and this could create unexpected development. We don't know where their nukes are. They must have a few at least. If they move a couple of them into the mountain and threaten to blow them up when Chinese PLA is about to move in, it will pose grave problem to Chinese. Getting to nukes and defusing them would be a big challenge. There would be layers of defense manned by most capable and fanatic member of the regime's elite guard.

If Chia Head thinks that he is not safe in his command bunker inside the mountain, where would he go in the event of crisis? An alternative site or decide to stay in the bunker and meet the fiery end with the nuclear explosion.

[TigerLikesRooster]

P!

[Frank_2001]

“If Chia Head thinks that he is not safe in his command bunker inside the mountain, where would he go in the event of crisis?”

There’s only one place he’d be safe and welcome- the basement of Obama’s White House!!!/s;)

[hennie pennie]

Unexpected wild card . . .

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

TANKS,Hennie,,,

Lil’Kim must be crappin’ his pants...;0)

[tanuki]

At the end of the day, the guy REALLY in charge isn’t named Kim....

[Jack Hydrazine]

I am consistently reading more and more dormant volcanoes are waking up.

[gdzla]

What is the likely-hood of a radio active mushroom cloud directly above the volcano?
Oh no no no that was only a volcano all by itself.

[TigerLikesRooster]

I think the eruption in 1903 is a mini-eruption, probably not from the caldera. It erupted on a massive scale around mid-10th century. I think it is going to erupt soon. On what scale, we don't know. The caldera currently holds huge amount of water. Now if nuclear device is detonated in the mountain, it could trigger an explosion from instant evaporation of huge body of water when water got in contact with molten lava below. Chia Head can turn mini-eruption into a big one with his nuke. It will spew radioactive volcanic ash. It could travel South East or North West depending on the season. South Easterly wind would be a disaster for Japan, while North Westerly wind would devastate N.E. China. Of course, both Koreas will be affected as well. S. Korea may have less fallout damage due to wind direction.

[Sawdring]

I have never heard of triggering a volcano with a nuclear weapon. Are you speculating?

[SevenofNine]

You know what I wonder if Chia Pet is crazy enough stay inside of Volcano Tiger
I THINK SO

[TigerLikesRooster]

Yes. The past track record of Kim Jong-il shows that he always try to find a new way to intimidate neighbors in order to force his way. So I am trying to figure out how he might exploit this new development to his advantage. To get ahead of ‘his curve.’