• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.93-104
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• 2017

The objective of this study was two fold: firstly, we analyzed how the Geoparks have been run since the first one had been designated on December 31th, 2015. We then investigated how visitors' geographical and geological recognitions on the parks have changes. We visited geosites and investigated how well these sites accorded with the conditions for running Geoparks. In addition, scenery pictures and hashtags uploaded in Instagram between 2015 and 2016 were collected in order to analyze visitors preferences on the geosites along the, Hantan Imjingang River Geopark. Results showed that the hotspots were Bidulginang Waterall, Art Valley, and Jaein Waterfall. Compared to the ratio of geographical and geological references in 2015, the hashtags in all of these three geosites increased. The increases were as much as 3% in Bidulginang Falls, 0.6% in Art Valley, and 5% in Jaein Falls. In labelling the geographical and geological terms in Bidulginang Falls and Jaein Falls, the most frequently mentioned hashtags was "columnar joint", followed by "natural monument", "Geopark", and "basalt canyon". This study includes the study of visitors recognition which is one of the most important, but somehow neglected factor for the geopark's management.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.464-479
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• 2022

In this study, appropriate geosites for geological field trips were explored and measures for their effective utilization in education were discussed, focusing on Okseo-myeon, Sanbuk-dong, Bieung-do, Yami-do, Sinsi-do, and Seonyu-do areas in Gunsan City, Korea. To this end, we analyzed the geological learning elements of the curriculum that were revised in 2015 and selected 7 geosites through field work based on prior research on the study areas. These areas have immense potential as a rich source of information on the Mesozoic geology of the Korean Peninsula, including igneous rocks formed as a consequence of Jurassic and Cretaceous igneous activities, Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, dinosaur footprints, plant fossils, ripple marks, and folds. When the learning elements available at the geosites were compared to those of the curriculum, they contained essentials used in high grade of elementary school and high school, and in particular, they had most of the learning elements used in high school. Accordingly, educational activities that can be carried out in each of the geosites in Gunsan City were proposed.

• 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 Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.81-97
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• 2020

Geopark refers to a single boundary area consisting of a collection of geosites and geotrails, which includes ecological, historical and cultural elements based on geological and geomorphological resources. To ensure the continued development and conservation of existing listed geoparks, it is necessary to carry out an environmental sensitivity analysis of the geopark components by utilizing spatial information from various scales. The objectives of this study are to analyze the environmental sensitivity in Cheongsong UNESCO global geopark in relation with slope disaster using GIS and to understand its spatial distribution in connection with geosites and geotrails. Two types of spatial database were constructed; geosites and geotrails in Cheongsong UNESCO global geopark and spatial data to perform environmental sensitivity. Potential soil loss and slope stability were analyzed to derive environmental sensitivity related to slope hazard. The results showed relatively high environmental sensitivity along the drainage network of Cheongsong UNESCO global geopark. Zonal statistics analysis was conducted for further detailed distribution of environmental sensitivity based on buffer zones of geosites and geotrails. Majority of geological sites, geological trails, Jeolgol gorge~Jusan Pond section in hiking trails, and Dalgi Mineral Spring Site~Artistic Genius Republic of Korea(Jangnankki gonghwaguk) section in road areas show relatively high slope hazard sensitivity within buffer zones.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.4-27
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• 2010

In this article, concepts, types, and aspects of geological heritage with increasing interests as utilization as tourist attractions domestically and internationally are introduced, and the characteristics of the interpretive facilities for geological heritages in western Australia, one of the most famous geotourism areas, are considered. Based on this, the potential geotourism for the Korean Cretaceous geological heritages including dinosaur fossil sites is discussed in diverse aspects including academic values, academic and tourism infrastructures, characteristics of geotourists, systematic devices for conservation of geological heritage, economic value, and sustainability as tourist attractions. Although the Korean Cretaceous geosites are not quite competent in their scale or diversity when compared to world-class geosites, convenient access, world-class unique geographical characteristics of each geosites, and relatively cheaper travelling expenses seems to be able to give the geotourism of the South Korean Cretaceous geosites a competitive edge, attractive for international and domestic tourists seeking unique experience of 'Age of dinosaurs' for short periods with easy access from metropolitan areas and low costs. Likewise, the development of geotourism for the Korean Cretaceous geosites can revitalize the geotourism industry in South Korea, contributing to the growth in job opportunities, including students majoring in geological sciences at University.

• 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.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.15-27
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• 2016

Since restoration of damaged geomorphological sites is almost impossible, it is necessary, to select and conserve geomorphological heritages in a preemptive action. Algific (=producing cold) sites are one of the natural resources which have not been protected well due to the lack of understanding of their value, despite their conservation importance. This research aimed to help people to recognize such geosites' actual value and make them understand the necessity of protecting these sites. Algific areas are valuable by the simple fact that it is a mysterious phenomenon in which the ice forming may happen even in the mid-summer and the environment is always cool. Algific sites deserve geomorphological research in the sense that topographic condition called talus causes this phenomenon. They are also valuable in plant geographic sense because northern rare plants survive isolatedly due to low-temperature environment of these sites. Their cultural-historical value is also high by the fact that they have been connected closely with local residents' lives shown by its nicknames, "natural refrigerator" or "natural air conditioner".

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.311-324
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• 2021

Recently, ten geosites have been considered in Hwaseong for endorsement as national geoparks, including the Jebudo, Gojeongri Dinosaur Egg Fossils, and Ueumdo geosites. The Jebudo geosite in the southern part of the Seoul metropolitan area has great potential for development as a new geoscience educational site because it has geological, geographical (landscape), and ecological significance. In this study, we described the geological characteristics through field surveys in the Jebudo geosite. We evaluated its potential as a geo-education site based on comparative analysis with other geosites in Hwaseong Geopark. In addition, we reviewed the practical effect of field education at geosites on the essential concepts and critical competence-oriented education emphasized in the current 2015 revised science curriculum. The Jebudo Geosite is geologically diverse, with various metamorphic rocks belonging to the Precambrian Seosan Group, such as quartzite, schist, and phyllite. Various geological structures, such as clastic dikes, faults, joints, foliation, and schistosity have also been recorded. Moreover, coastal geological features have been observed, including depositional landforms (gravel and sand beaches, dunes, and mudflats), sedimentary structures (ripples), erosional landforms (sea cliffs, sea caves, and sea stacks), and sea parting. The Jebudo geosite has considerable value as a new geo-education site with geological and geomorphological distinction from the Gojeongri Dinosaur Egg Fossils and Ueumdo geosites. The Jebudo geosite also has opportunities for geo-education and geo-tourism, such as mudflat experiences and infrastructures, such as coastal trails and viewing points. This geosite can help develop diverse geo-education programs that improve key competencies in the science curriculum, such as critical thinking, inquiry, and problem-solving. Furthermore, by conducting optimized geo-education focused on the characteristics of each geosite, the following can be established: (1) the expansion of learning space from school to geopark, (2) the improvement of understanding of specific content elements and linkage between essential concepts, and (3) the extension of the education scope throughout the earth system. There will be positive impacts on communication, participation, and lifelong learning skills through geopark education.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.91-102
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• 2022

Sinsu Island in Korea National Marine Park is suitable for geological learning and geotourism as various geological structures, geological activities, and fossils can be observed. In this study, eight geosites were developed by analyzing 2015 revision science curriculum. The 3D panoramic geological virtual field trips were developed according to the three-step outdoor learning model. The 3D panoramic geological virtual field trips, which consist of 8 classes, are composed of cooperative learning by group, enabling autonomous inquiry activities. It is designed to realize convergence education that can learn not only geology but also creativity and humanity through nodular Limestones, exfoliation, salt weathering, perforated shell holes, sedimentary structures and environments, dinosaurs habitats, and volcanic activity. Five experts revised and supplemented the Delphi analysis method to verify the validity of the development purpose and direction. The satisfaction with the geological field for Sinsu Island course was 4.52, indicating that the overall satisfaction with the field course was high. By reflecting on the opinions of each student and reinforcing safety education, we completed the 3D panoramic geological virtual field trips for Sinsu Island. The 3D panoramic geological virtual field trips in Sinsu Island in Korea National Marine Park will be a good example of geology learning tourism where you can make memories and enjoy while studying geology.