• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.168-177
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• 2017

In order to reveal formation factors and developmental processes of tafoni this study was conducted with petrological analysis including microscopic observation, measurement of water content and water analysis at Golgulsa temple in Gyeongju, South Korea. The direction of the entrance to tafoni at Golgulsa temple tends to coincide with the direction of slope, and this is thought to be related to the direction of wind flow and water supply. Tafoni's initial developmental processes is judged to have grown as a result of a breakaway of rock fragments along with beddings and cracks in rock. Then, tafoni have been enlarged along at the spots that sufficiently accommodate water supply depending on the direction of wind. The results of water analysis of the stagnant water in gnamma implies that a high meltage of Na and Cl compared to other inland areas can be from the adjacent shore. The effects of such saline substances on rock weathering and development of taponi are currently under way through electronic microscopy and geochemical analysis.