• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.609-622
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• 2007

This paper examines the lava tubes designated as a natural monument in Jeju Island, and then makes the several suggestions for conserving and managing them. The cave entrances should be scientifically and strictly managed to prevent the deterioration, and to preserve the interior ecosystem, of the lava tubes. The land use and vegetation of the ground surface over the lava tubes should be also systematically managed; the destroyed sand dunes must be recovered for the development of speleothem in the lava tubes, and the plants with deep roots must be removed for the prevention of ceiling collapse. The provincial authorities should manage the ground surface over the lava tubes as a public land to remove the factors threatening the stability of the lava tubes. Since the roads crossing the ground surface are likely to cause the collapse of the lava tubes, new roads bypassing the caves need to be constructed, and warning signs should be also installed at the traverse points. A monitoring system on the cultural properties protection area over the lava tubes could be effectively established by encouraging residents to participate the conservation program of lava tubes. Since the falling blocks from ceilings have been usually observed in the lava tubes, it is urgent to examine their stability. In particular, the dangerous sections must be continuously monitored for taking a quick measure against the collapse. The air environments of lava tubes need to be scientifically analyzed based upon the long-term observations. The lighting equipments must be improved to minimize the green pollution in the lava tubes open to the public. The numbers of visitors should be also controlled to prevent the destruction and contamination of lava tubes caused by a large number of visitors.