• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.131-144
• /
• 2019

The Seosan Geomenyeo(black submerged rocks), once located at the Cheonsuman bay of Buseokmyeon in Seosan, Korea, is a reef rock now exposed on the land surface. The Geomenyeo can also be found in the ancient geographic maps around the area. The local geographic names, like Buseok and Buseoksa temple are derived from the Geomenyeo. It is composed of ultramafic rocks complex and intrusive felsic igneous rocks. These rocks show diverse facies with various petrographic characteristics caused by geological processes such as intrusion and alteration. Ultramafic rocks complex can be roughly categorized as coarse grained ultramafic rocks and medium grained mafic rocks. Both cases are composed of pyroxene and amphibole, showing the general rock facies of pyroxenite, diabase and lamprophyre. Felsic igneous rocks includes pinkish medium grained granite, porphyritic amphibole granite and aplite with varied mineral compositions. The Geomenyeo is the only ultramafic rocks complex in the Cheonsuman Bay; moreover, it has a distinctive geological and scenic value, as well as a symbolic property. In order to preserve the Geomenyeo, it is necessary to investigate and promote it as a designated heritage site through academic studies, and compensate for the convenience and protection facilities. Additionally, the Geomenyeo should be evaluated as a maritime heritage site, due to the unique local culture as it succeeds the recognition of forefathers which regarded it as a local scenic site with significance.