Mt Paektu is the highest mountain in the DPRK, rising 2 750m above sea level. There is a natural lake called Chon on top of it. Of the natural lakes in the country it comes first in depth and water volume. It was formed in the wake of a volcanic eruption about a million years ago.
The caldera lake covers an area of 9.16 sq km, and stores a huge amount of water.
For its wonderful and magnificent scenery and unusual natural phenomena, it has long drawn considerable attention of geologists, volcanologists and explorers.
Now and then, when a gale hits the area, a water spout arises on the lake, throwing up a column of water dozens to hundreds of metres high, which moves, with the water tossing and raging in turbulent eddies and thick clouds of spray enveloping the lake.
The whirlwind drives up dust, pumice and other stones up to hundreds of metres, often blanketing an area of hundreds of square metres. Ancient Koreans took the phenomenon as the rise of a dragon, calling the lake Ryongdam (dragon pool).
The climate in the area is literally ever-changing. Strong wind suddenly changes into primeval calmness, and the clouds over the lake disappear to give way to the blue sky. Mt Paektu is mirrored on the surface of the crystal-clear lake like a picture. Sometimes downpour turns into a barrage of fist-sized snowballs and hailstones. In the lake rhododendron comes into bloom even in snow.
The sky over the lake is often ablaze with glowing clouds and twin rainbows. The night view of the surface of the lake is also amazing as it looks like a carpet decorated with the moon and so many stars.
In and around the lake there are rare species of animals such as Ochotona alpina , moose, freshwater turtle and char. In addition, seabirds including gull and streaked shearwater have been observed, and a yellow-eared turtle, known as a rare species in the world, was found several times.
The lake water is recognized as an ideal drinking water in terms of chemical composition and hygienic standards.
Jang Chang Nam
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