About Halla
Halla is a shield rising to 1,919 meters (6,296 feet) in South Korea's Eastern Asia Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1007 CE. The volcano has produced 4 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Halla is located in South Korea, within the Central East Asia Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Asia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 33.36° N, 126.53° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,919 meters above sea level, Halla is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a shield, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Halla is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Halla tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in South Korea more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
Eruption History Summary
Halla has 4 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 2830 BCE to 1007 CE. These eruptions span roughly 3,837 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
The massive Halla shield volcano forms much of the 40 x 80 km Cheju (Jeju) Island, which lies 90 km S of the Korean Peninsula. Eruptions during the Pliocene and Pleistocene built a lava plateau above the roughly 100-m-deep continental shelf on which the basaltic-to-trachytic edifice was constructed. A 400-m-wide crater truncates the summit. About 360 late-Pleistocene and Holocene basaltic cones across the flanks were erupted primarily along the long axis of the ENE-WSW-trending island. Most of these are scoria cones, but about 20 along the coast or offshore are Pleistocene-to-Holocene tuff rings and tuff cones; lava domes also occur. The latest two eruptions took place during the 11th century.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
4 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1007 | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 1002 | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 2050 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | SW flank (Songaksan tuff ring) |
| 2830 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | NE flank (Ilchulbong tuff cone) |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Halla
Is Halla an active volcano?+
Halla is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in 1007 CE, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
When did Halla last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Halla occurred in 1007 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Halla has 4 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Halla?+
Halla has a summit elevation of 1,919 meters (6,296 feet) above sea level. At 1,919 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Halla?+
Halla is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Halla located?+
Halla is located in South Korea, in the Eastern Asia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central East Asia Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 33.361° latitude, 126.530° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Halla?+
Halla can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. South Korea may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
