Changbai Mountain Series (Part 5): Julong Springs

Around 900 meters north of the Shangbai waterfall, there is a group of hot springs called Zhulong Springs. It is enveloped in steam all year round. Of all the hot springs in the Shangbai mountain, Zhulong Springs has the largest water volume, widest area, and the highest temperature. When the Shangbai volcano erupted, the magma stored up below Earth's surface gushed out, while the remained magma underground transmitted its heat slowly onto the stratum. When water seeps into the Earth and gets heated up by the heat of the magma, the carbon dioxide and other gases in the hot water expand to enhance the pressure underneath the rock layers. After experiencing a huge pressure, the underground water overflows through the cracks on the ground and forms hot springs. Zhulong Springs is a collection of dozens of geothermal spots spreading across an area of more than 1,000 square meters. The sizes of the vents vary. The steaming water continuously flows out of the vents like a group of frolicking dragons. The Erdaobai River traverses the Zhulong Springs and flows onwards around the Zhulong Springs. The rocks are vibrantly colored like the palette of an Impressionist painter. These bold, striking hues of the rocks come from the hot spring water that contains large amounts of copper, iron, magnesium, and other minerals. When the spring water overflows, the minerals aggregate and deposit themselves on the surface, forming mineralization of layers which color the surrounding grayish volcanic rocks, reddish-brown, green, purple, and yellow. The hues are particularly vibrant against the backdrop of flowing water. The mineral-rich hot spring water is also noted for its healing benefits. The Zhulong Springs have different temperatures ranging from over 60 degrees Celsius to 82 degrees Celsius in such extreme conditions where few living things can survive. A humble little grass thrives near the steaming hot springs. The delicate-looking Adder's Tongue is a rare fern species with impressive heat resistance. Thanks to its proximity to the hot springs, it has acquired some medicinal value, and its root and stem can soothe fevers and help remove blood stasis. A species on the verge of extinction, the grass is under second-class state protection. The merging of water and fire has created the mineral-rich hot springs and the resplendent scenery, a geological spectacle unique to the Shangbai Mountain.