Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes in South Korea
Jejudo Island is a volcanic island which is the largest island in South Korea. It is also the smallest province in Korea. The focal point of the island is Hallasan which is the tallest mountain in Korea and a dormant volcano that rises 1,950 meters above sea level. There are 360 satellite volcanoes that are connected to the main volcano. The last recorded volcanic activity was recorded approximately 800 years. The entire island is covered in volcanic rock and volcanic soil from Hallasan. The crater and lake are located at the peak of Hallasan was formed over 25,000 years ago.
Jejudo is very valuable scientifically because of its extensive system of lava tubes which are also known as the lateral volcanoes. These natural passages through which magma passed are now empty caves that are some of the world’s largest. The caves provide scientists an opportunity to further study volcanoes. The lava tubes are also popular tourist attraction. One of the examples of the natural beauty of the island is the vast belt of pillar-shaped rocks in Seogwipo. Shellfish and animal fossils are also found in the island which provides opportunities for scientific study. The wide avriety of flora and fauna species found in the island is one of the reason for its value as a natural reserve. Half of all Korean vascular plants grow naturally on the island while another 200 species of plants indigenous to Korea have been transported here. However, half of these species face extinction. The polar plants which came from the south during a glacial period and inhabit the peak of Jeju is one example. Other plants in the subtropical forest and lower regions of the island are also endangered.
The park is mostly unspoiled nature with hiking trails and park managerial facilities being the only man-made modifications in the area. The flora at the park is unique because it has a vertical distribution of plants in three different zones; the subtropic, temperate and frigid zones. A famous part of the Mt. Hallasan Nature Reserve is the Pillemot Cave, a site dating to the Paleolithic period. The caves are significant because of the archaeological remains found there. Archaeological evidence from the cave suggests that people have occupied the island since the Paleolithic period.