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The Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2007.
The Geomunoreum Lava Tube System, along with its diverse volcanic features, is regarded as a unique and valuable contribution to global volcanism understanding.
Additionally, Jeju Island in South Korea owes its geological formation to a series of volcanic activities approximately 1.2 million years ago.
Hallasan, Jeju’s main volcano, rises 1,950 meters, claiming the title of South Korea’s highest mountain.
Moreover, Hallasan’s summit, Baengnokdam, is a crater lake, providing a dramatic reminder of the island’s volcanic past.
The combined area consists of three sites, namely Geomunoreum, Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone, and Mount Halla, totaling 18,846 hectares.
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Geomunoreum in Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
Geomunoreum in Jeju is famed for unique lava tubes and geological formations within the World Heritage Site.
In the east of Jeju, this vast area contains diverse lava tube caves.
Notable features include Manjanggul Cave, which is a stunning 8.6-kilometer-long tube adorned with intricate stalactites and stalagmites.
Manjanggul Cave, renowned for spacious chambers, ranges from 5 to 30 meters wide and 23 meters deep.
The Iconic Manjanggul Lava Columnar Section showcases hexagonal basalt columns formed by lava cooling and contracting.
Geomunoreum’s importance lies in its large size and diverse lava tube formations, offering insights into volcanic processes.
Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone
Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as Sunrise Peak, is a remarkable tuff cone situated on the eastern coast of Jeju Island.
Rising abruptly from the East China Sea, this tuff cone features a distinctive bowl-shaped crater from volcanic eruptions.
Furthermore, the cone measures approximately 182 meters in height, with a wide crater diameter of around 600 meters.
Additionally, the crater walls, steep and lush, provide a stark contrast to volcanic rock formations.
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Mount Halla
Hallasan, also known as Mount Halla, serves as the centerpiece and dominates Jeju’s landscape as a magnificent shield volcano.
With its gently sloping profile, characteristic of shield volcanoes, Hallasan is adorned by Baengnokdam, a crater lake within.
The wide and expansive crater, spanning about 300 meters in diameter, provides a serene and picturesque setting.
Furthermore, Hallasan’s geological importance extends beyond its summit, shaped by volcanic eruptions, forming lava flows, cones, and craters.