[Yangmingshan National Park] Xiaoyoukeng

Yangmingshan National Park is the only National Park with volcanic landform. people who come here for the first time will be fascinated by the constant gushing sound and the volcanic smell in the air.
Standing behind me is Xiaoyoukeng. The most famous geological scenic area in the park. 805 meters above sea level, is the best geological classroom.
Xiaoyoukeng was formed after the volcanic activities ceased, the residual heat and volcanic gases channel through the narrow fractures of the andesite rocks, making hissing sounds and gushing steam and hot spring.
How high is the temperature ? Well, inside the Visitor Center a real-time Fumarole Temperature Monitor. The average temperature reading ranges in between 95.4-- 95.5℃.
You can see the color of the rocks surrounding the vents are lighter and the rock is crumbly. The high temperature and strong acidic liquid passing through the igneous rocks leaches the mineral compositions out of the rocks. This is what we called hydrothermal alteration.
This hydrothermal alteration also cause the constant landslides around the hill side and create this unique horse-shoe shape landslide landform. The high-temperature and strong acidity of the soil makes it hard for any plant to survive except a few lichens and mosses which can stand this harsh environment. You will also find silvergrass in a little distance away.
People often ask the question -- Is the Datun Volcano Group going to erupt again? That is a good question. According to the studies conducted by the park and scientists, we know that the magma chamber still exists underneath Mt. Qixing, but poses no immediate risk of explosion.
Come to Xiaoyoukeng and enjoy this astonishing view. See with your eyes the constant raising steam and beautiful yellow sulfur crystals coated the fumarole vent. Listen with your ears the hissing sound of the volcanic gases gushing out from the deep underground and use your nose to smell the special sulfuric smell in the air.
Xiaoyoukeng is a place you must visit when you are in Yangmingshan National Park. Do come and experience yourself !

Видео [Yangmingshan National Park] Xiaoyoukeng канала 陽明山國家公園