• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2021

Over the past decade, the number of national geoparks has rapidly increased, and 13 areas are currently designated as geoparks. After Jeju Island (2010), Cheongsong (2017), Mudeungsan (2018), and Hantangang River (2020) National Geoparks were listed as UNESCO Global Geoparks. Despite the continuous increase in the number of national geoparks and UNESCO global geoparks, the public interest in geoparks and the effect of regional economic development by geoparks are not yet very significant. Some geopark management organizations have developed geopark characters to appeal to the public through intimacy and friendliness, utilizing parks for education and tourism. However, the characters are not being utilized properly due to a lack of plannings, expertise, storytelling, and management. For geopark characters, which have been neglected since development, to perform their original roles, content production based on appropriate budget compilation and analysis of consumption trends in the character market is necessary. Instead of merely using geopark characters, geopark characters should be loved by the public, as well as local residents.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.195-215
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• 2019

Geopark is a new system for development of the local economy through conservation, education, and tourism that is an area of scientific importance for the earth sciences and that has outstanding scenic values. The Hwaseong Geopark, the candidate for Korean National Geopark is composed of 10 geosites: Gojeongri dinosaur egg fossils, Ueumdo, Eoseom, Ddakseom, Goryeom, Jebudo, Baengmiri Coast, Gungpyeonhang, Ippado and Gukwado geosites. In this study, geosites, geoheritages, and geotrails of the Hwaseong Geopark were described in detail, and the value and significane as a geopark were also discussed. The geology of the Hwaseong Geopark area belonging to the Gyeonggi Massif consists of the Precambrian metamorphic and meta-sedimentary rocks, Paleozoic sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, Mesozoic igneous and sedimentary rocks, and Quaternary deposits, indicating high geodiversity. The Gojeongri Dinosaur Egg Fossils geosite, designated as a natural monument, has a geotrail including dinosaur egg nest fossils, burrows, tafoni, fault and drag fold, cross-bedding. Furthermore, a variety of infrastructures such as eco-trail deck, visitor center are well-established in the geosite. In the Ueumdo geosite, there are various metamorphic rocks (gneiss, schist, and phyllite) and geological structures (fold, fault, joint, dike, and vein), thus it has a high educational value. The Eoseom geosite has high academic value because of the orbicular texture found in metamorphic rocks. Also, various volcanic and sedimentary rocks belonging to the Cretaceous Tando Basin can be observed in the Ddakseom and Goryeom geosites. In the Jebudo, Baengmiri Coast, and Gungpyeonghang geosites, a variety of coastal landforms (tidal flat, seastacks, sand and gravel beach, and coastal dunes), metamorphic rocks and geological structures, such as clastic dikes and quartz veins can be observed, and they also provide various programs including mudflat experience to visitors. Ippado and Gukwado geosites have typical large-scale fold structures, and unique coastal erosional features and various Paleozoic schists can be observed. The Hwaseong Geopark consists of outstanding geosites with high geodiversity and academic values, and it also has geotrails that combine geology, geomorphology, landscape and ecology with infrastructures and various education and experience programs. Therefore, the Hwaseong Geopark is expected to serve as a great National Geopark representing the western Gyeonggi Province, Korea.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.341-350
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• 2015

This study is to explore geosites considering the geological characteristics in Gochang-gun and to investigate a possibility of being designated as the national geopark of Korea. In this study, the geosites within Gochang-gun are explored through literature search and field work. The results indicate that seven of the geosites in the Seonunsan area are relevant as potential national geopark, including Jinheunggul, Dosolam Maebulsang, Youngmungul, Nakjodae and Cheonmabong, Byungbawi, spherulitic rhyolite, and Dolmen site. In addition, there are other areas that have valus in terms of geological and educational aspect, including Hajeon mud flat and Myoungsasipri beach. The results of study imply that if various educational programs for the geotourism are properly developed, the Gochang-gun area has potential to be designated as the national geopark of Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.93-107
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• 2018

The concepts of geotourism and geoparks have emerged due to the paradigm shift in tourism and the increased recognition of geosites and geoheritage as legacies that must be protected and preserved. The number of geoparks designated by UNESCO and national governments is increasing globally. The purpose of this paper is to propose directions for enhancing Jeju Geopark to perform as a geological educational venue. This study reviewed the present conditions of the education and communication, the media, and the facilities of the geopark with respect to the required conditions to be effective for geological education. Data surveys, field surveys, visitor questionnaires, and interviews were conducted to examine the educational and guidance system of the geopark, the physical space configuration, and the operation and management methods. The research process is as follows. First, the study analyzed the status of the education and communication in Jeju Geopark, according to the criteria of the UNESCO GGN, using data acquired from the survey. Second, the study analyzed and evaluated the educational and communication facilities, and media, focusing on four aspects of the geopark: the geo-trail, spatial composition and layout, communicational and educational facilities, and the system and design of signboards. Third, the study assessed the perception and satisfaction of visitors to the geopark. Fourth, the study summarized the potential and limitations of the Jeju Geopark through in-depth interviews. The four analyses showed that enhancements in the exploration environment, communication, media, and operation and management system are all necessary for effective geological education. Based on these results, this study suggests directions for enhancing the geopark in the four following aspects. Management and maintenance must be improved to meet UNESCO criteria, while the improvements in the visiting environment quality, the supplementing of communication and facilities, and enhancements in the organization and system of operation and management also must be taken on.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.520-530
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate students' understanding of the terms presented on the information board in the Jinan-Muju National Geopark. To this end, a survey was conducted with 219 students (147 elementary, 41 middle, and 31 high school students) to determine the level of their perceptions of the geopark, and of the usefulness of the information board, and their understanding of the terms presented on the information boards of the National Geopark. To determine the students' understanding of terms, 10 representative information boards were selected and the entire content was converted into text. Afterwards, 256 key terms were extracted from the text through discussions with three experts, and these terms were presented to students to grasp their level of understanding. The results were as follows: First, the level of students' perceptions about the geopark was very low, so publicity and educational approaches are needed. Second, students were not interested in the information board and had a low level of understanding owing to the large amount of information and reading difficulties. Third, among the 256 terms, the number of terms that students found difficult to understand tended to decrease with increasing school grade: 80 for elementary school students, 53 for middle school students, and 31 for high school students. The reason the students had difficulty in understanding terms was that elementary school students had not yet learned the terms in the curriculum, whereas middle and high school students have difficulty understanding technical terms and Chinese characters. Therefore, the information board in the geopark will need to be easily translated into Chinese characters or additional explanations of technical terms need to be provided so that visitors can understand the concepts more easily.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze the terms used in the Information Boards of Geosites at Jeonbuk West Coast National Geopark. Among the terms used in the Information Boards, nouns were extracted and listed based on the Standard Korean Language Dictionary, a glossary of earth and the data for the development of textbooks according to the 2015 revision of curriculum, by which eight types were classified. Seventy-one nouns (10.8%) of the extracted terms were not listed in any glossary. Most of these terms were compound words derived by combining [noun]+[noun] or [noun]+[affix] so that they were not easy to comprehend. In addition, two hundred fifty-six nouns (46%) of the terms were identified as jargons used in specific disciplines. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that when creating the National Geopark Information Boards, the academic jargon embedded terminologies be explained with annotation for general public visitors and students to understand without difficulty.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.749-761
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• 2022

As the number of National and UNESCO Global Geoparks has increased, awareness of geological heritage and local government interests have also increased. In this study, data from the geological heritage sites in the Ulsan area were summarized, a practical use plan for geological heritage was prepared based on the assessment results, and the expected effects were also presented. The value for 33 of 112 geological heritage sites identified through literature surveys was evaluated. In terms of the geological heritage types in Ulsan, there were two geological, one geomorphological, and thirty mixed-heritage sites. In the context of the geological heritage of Ulsan, rivers and coastal topography were found to be dominant, and various geomorphological and geological features, such as fossils, folds, faults, shear zones, minerals, and ore deposits are included. Based on the assessment results, there were three, eighteen, nine, and three sites in Classes I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Considering the intrinsic and subsidiary values of geological heritage, the Gangdong Coast, Jujeon Coast, Taehwagang area, Daewangam area, the Daegokri-Cheonjeonri track sites, and Mujechineup are likely to be listed as potential geosites. When the endorsement of the geopark has been promoted alongside these geosites, it can contribute to the sustainable preservation and maintenance of the geosites, satisfy the demand for science education through geo-education, and support the sustainable development of the local economy following the detailed standards for geopark certification in the Natural Parks Act. This is expected to increase the brand value of Ulsan Metropolitan City.

• Environmental engineer
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• s.328
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• pp.36-38
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• 2013

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.126-145
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• 2017

The Seokgaejae section is located along a timber access road and a driveway across Bonghwa County, North Gyeongsang Province, and Samcheog city, Gangwon Province. Its stratigraphic column shows all of the ten strata of the lower Paleozoic Taebaek Group, Joseon Supergroup. The Seokgaejae section is proved to be scientifically important. Thirty-eight domestic/international journal papers have been published on this early Paleozoic stratigraphic site, and many distinguished researchers over the world have visited the site. However, the section has never been considered to be designated as a national natural monument and was not included in the adjacent Gangwon Paleozoic National Geopark due to management or administrative issues. Although the Seokgaejae section sufficiently satisfies many of the national natural monument criteria, designation for the natural monument may not be justified because of the facts that the outcrop was artificially exposed by road construction; the chance of destruction of the outcrop is relatively few; demage on the outcrop to some extent does not impair the intrinsic value of the section; and the geomorphological/landscape value of the section is low. The application of the recently modified geological heritage assessment model to the Seokgaejae section shows very high scores on the scientific/educational, intrinsic, and functional values. Based on the improved geological heritage grade standard, the Seokgaejae section conforms to the national-level protection criteria. It is strongly recommended to manage the Seokgaejae section as a principal geosite by including it in the Gangwon Paleozoic National Geopark. This case study on the Seokgaejae section also suggests that the process of application and endorsement of a national geopark need further improvement. As well as the improvement of the system or policy related to geological heritages, further efforts of the experts in various fields of geoscience are required in order for other geological heritages not to be neglected from now on.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2016

This study aims analyze the geological values in relation to the volcanic area and to investigate a possibility of the geosites and the geoheritages in Byeonsanbando area. The results indicate that the seven geosites are relevant as a potential national geopark, including Gunghang, Solseom Island, and Mohang located in Oebyeonsan and Jikso Falls, Gulbawi, Seongye Falls, and Ulgumbawi located in Naebyeonsan. Solseom Island and Mohang should be preserved and used as a place of the geological study because of their high geological heritage values. Besides, Jeokbyeokgang and Chaeseokgang are famous for excellent natural landscapes as they have been proven with academic values. Like this, these area are considered to have sufficient value as a national geopark of Korea, because their geoheritages are variously distributed in Byeonsanbando area.