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The island of Jejudo figures significantly in terms of the
preservation of biodiversity. Almost half of all vascular plants
found in Korea and about 200 endemic plant species are found
on the island, together with half of Korea’s endangered and
protected wild species. High on the summit of Mt. Hallasan live
polar plant species that advanced southwards during the Ice
Age, while numerous indigenous species and endangered species
inhabit the lower altitudes. Without a doubt, Mt. Hallasan is
a rich ecological treasure trove, with 1565 species of plants
and 1,179 species of animals.
On June 27, 2007, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee listed Jeju
Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes as a World Natural Heritage in
view of the site’s parasitic volcano and lava tubes, as well
as for its outstanding geological features and special properties
as a habitat for a variety of rare and endangered species. Jeju
Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes largely comprises of three sites:
Mount Hallasan Natural Reserve, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, and
the Geomunoreum Lava Tube System. The lava tube system includes
Geomunoreum, a parasitic cone, and the five lava caves of Bengdwigul,
Manjanggul, Gimnyeonggul, Yongcheondonggul, and Dangcheomuldonggul.
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Mount Hallasan Natural Reserve
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At 1,950 meters, Mt. Hallasan is the tallest mountain in South Korea
with gentle slopes formed by eons of volcanic activity. The summit
area, however, is steep as it is formed of a steep trachyte edifice.
A variety of animals and plants inhabit the natural reserve together
with numerous endangered |
species. Because of the unique and mysterious
landscape created by the surrounding 360 cinder cones and its outstanding
research value, the Korean government designated the mountain as a
national park in 1970, and it has been protected ever since.
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Click for more on Mt. Hallasan National Park |
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Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak
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Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, one of the 360 parasitic (cinder) cones on Jejudo
Island, was uniquely created on the sea floor. Some 5,000 years ago,
an underwater eruption on the shallow seabed resulted in a tuff ring.
Rising 182 meters above sea level, the tuff ring was originally an
island, but the gradual deposit of sand and gravel formed a connection
to the land. Also called the Oreum of the Rising Sun, Seongsan Ilchulbong
Peak
is one of the treasured landmarks of Jeju Island, which attracts numerous
tourists for a view of the sunrise and sunset.
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→ Click for more on Seongsan Ilchulbong
Peak |
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Geomunoreum Lava Tube System
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The Geomunoreum Lava Tube System refers to the series of lava
tubes formed some 100,000 to 300,000 years ago by huge amounts
of basalt lava that spewed from Geomunoreum Volcano. Lava tubes
designated as UNESCO World Natural Heritage are Bengdwigul,
Manjanggul, Gimnyeonggul, Yongcheondonggul, and Dangcheomuldonggul.
The largest tube in the Geomunoreum system is Manjanggul. In
terms of both length and scale of the entrance, Manjanggul and
Gimnyeonggul are among the most internationally recognized formations.
Also notable is Bengdwigul, a labyrinth-type cave whose structure
is the most complex of any in the world. Other caves that are
outstanding in terms of geological value are Yongcheondonggul
and Dangcheomuldonggul |
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Dangcheomuldonggul Cave is quite small, it has a spectacular
display of limestone formations. In addition, the limestone
structures and geological features found in Yongcheondonggul
are unmatched by any in the world. |
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| Yongcheon Cave |
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Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes were judged on the merits of their
outstanding universal value and met UNESCOs criteria that a natural
site being considered as a World Natural Heritage must contain superlative
natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic
importance and be outstanding examples representing major stages
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| earth's history, including the record of life, significant ongoing
geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant
geomorphic or physiographic features. |
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