• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2005

Although Dokdo, small and dependent islands of Ulleung County, can be considered critical in terms of both geo-politics and physical geography, it is clear that Korean geographers have been too silent tn study Dokdo. In the author's view, such tendency is partly due to difficulties in access to Dokdo. In this sense this study would be meaningful for inquiring into the regional geomorphology of Dokdo regardless of only three-day field work. The major findings of the study are as follows. Firstly, the geology of Dokdo is composed of 8 rock units. Secondly, in a slope analysis of Dokdo volcano using GIS tool, steep slopes over $26^{\circ}$ account for 79.1% of whole slopes and even free faces, defined as slopes over $40^{\circ}$, account for 65.4%. Thirdly, the main landforms of Dokdo constitute volcanic landform, coastal landform and the others, such as talus, dyke, tafoni and erosional hollow. Fourthly, it turns out that advanced landform classification map of Dokdo can be designed by taking an approach tn regional geomorphology. Finally, based on a detailed review of the latest geological literature, I argue that part of landforms of East Dokdo(dongdo) is closer tn an erosional hollow than a small crater.