Geomunoreum

Geomunoreum
Looking into the depression in the center of the oreum (2017)
Highest point
Elevation456.6 m (1,498 ft)
Coordinates33°27′17″N 126°43′9″E / 33.45472°N 126.71917°E / 33.45472; 126.71917
Dimensions
Area0.80986 km2 (0.31269 sq mi)
Naming
EtymologyDark oreum
Geography
Map
LocationJeju City, Jeju Province, South Korea

Geomunoreum (Korean: 거문오름; Hanja: 拒文岳; 巨文岳; 巨門岳), alternatively Geomeunoreum (검은오름), is an oreum (small extinct volcano) around Jocheon and Gujwa in Jeju City, Jeju Province, South Korea.[1][2]

The oreum is a popular tourist attraction, and has been a Natural Monument of South Korea No. 444 since January 6, 2005.[3][2] In 2007, the Geomunoreum Lava Tube System around the oreum was made a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, as part of the item Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.[1]

There are several other oreum in Jeju with similar names; this one is sometimes called the Seonheul-ri Geomunoreum or Dong Geomunoreum (동거문오름; lit. East Geomunoreum).[2]

Toponymy

An early name for the oreum was Bangha Oreum or Banghaak (방하오름; 방하악; 防下岳).[2] The oreum's name was later attested to as Geomunoreum or Geomunak (거문악; 拒文岳).[2] The oreum's name is possibly related to darkness (검은; geomeun in the Gyeonggi dialect), referring to the unusually dark soil[1] or the dark forested areas of the oreum.[4]

Description

It is estimated to have formed between 200,000 to 300,000 years ago.[1] It has 20 lava tube caves around it.[3]

Its highest point is 456.6 m (1,498 ft) above sea level, and occupies an area of 809,860 m2 (8,717,300 sq ft).[1][2] The oreum is shaped like a horseshoe that opens to the northeast.[1][2][5] It has a trench with a width of 80 to 150 m (260 to 490 ft) and depth of 15 to 30 m (49 to 98 ft). The trench was created from when an underground lava tube collapsed.[1] There is a dense pine and cedar forest on the oreum.[2]

The oreum hosted Japanese military facilities during the 1910–1945 Japanese colonial period. Some remnants of this period remain,[1] including mines.[5]

Tourism

Tourists are able to hike on the oreum. There are two main routes for tourists: Taegeuk (태극길) and Yongam (용암길). The former circles the crater and the oreum's peaks. The latter is only open once a year to tourists, and follows where lava would have flowed.[4] In 2008, an annual hiking competition for it was established.[1] It is during this hiking competition that Yongam is opened for access.[6][7] Guided tours of the oreum have been offered.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i 권, 동희, "제주 선흘리 거문오름 (濟州 善屹里 거문오름)", Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-07-10
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h 오, 창명. "제주 선흘리 거문 오름 – 디지털제주문화대전". Encyclopedia of Korean Local Culture. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  3. ^ a b "Geomunoreum Volcanic Cone in Seonheul-ri, Jeju". Cultural Heritage Administration. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  4. ^ a b 채, 지형 (2019-12-02). "1년에 열흘만 열리는 비밀의 원시림, 제주 거문오름 '용암길'". visitkorea.or.kr (in Korean). Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Shim, Hyun-chul (2009-06-04). "Volcanic Cone Geomunoreum". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  6. ^ Lee, Si-jin (2023-06-15). "Jeju Island's Geomunoreum opens hidden forest trail to public". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  7. ^ Jung, Joo-ri (July 27, 2022). "Int'l trekking event held at World Natural Heritage site in Jeju". Korea.net. Retrieved 2024-07-10.