Experts say that a volcanic eruption may likely happen if North Korea continues testing its nuclear weapons.
According to a recent report from Express, Mount Paektu - placed on the boundary between North Korea and China - could be triggered to cause a volcanic eruption that will put thousands of citizens in danger. This event may probably occur if North Korea continues testing its disruptive missile near the area.
The 9,000-foot-tall summit is symbolic in North Korea, as it is considered to be the spiritual home of the nation which is protected by fences and armed guards. This is also where the founder of the country, Kim il-Sung, camped out during the Korean War.
Mount Paektu erupted in 946 AD, it is said to be one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in the last 5,000 years. At that time, approximately 1.5 million square miles of the site was covered with ashes, and debris filled the air. About 71,000 to 92,000 citizens in Japan, Russia, China, and North Korea were killed because of this particular event.
Now, experts warn that this could happen again. After some rumblings occurred on the site, an international team of researchers went to the area to study the volcano and gather some data. Based on the historic event, scientists say that there is a possibility that Mount Paektu may once again put China and North Korea into danger.
When Mount Paektu was active thousand years ago, its immense energy caused a "Millennium Eruption," one of the most violent volcanic activity ever recorded in human history. Bruce Bennett, a defense analyst, said that it could kill thousands of North Koreans and Chinese if the volcano will erupt today.
However, experts also noted that the recent nuclear testing of North Korea will unlikely to trigger Mount Paektu's eruption, but such event may still happen if the country will continue this testing with more powerful weapons.
Meanwhile, Hiromitsu Taniguchi, a Professor at the Tohoku University, predicts that there is a 99 percent chance that Mount Paektu will erupt in the next 15 years.