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Geomunoreum (Korean: 거문오름; Hanja: 拒文岳; 巨文岳; 巨門岳), alternatively Geomeunoreum (검은오름), is an oreum (small extinct volcano) around Jocheon and Gujwa in Jeju City, Jeju Province, South Korea.[1][2]
| Geomunoreum | |
|---|---|
 Looking into the depression in the center of the oreum (2017) | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 456.6 m (1,498 ft) |
| Coordinates | 33°27′17″N 126°43′9″E |
| Dimensions | |
| Area | 0.80986 km2 (0.31269 sq mi) |
| Naming | |
| Etymology | Dark oreum |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Location | Jeju City, Jeju Province, South Korea |
The oreum is a popular tourist attraction, and has been a Natural Monument of South Korea No. 444 since January 6, 2005.[3][2] In 2007, the Geomunoreum Lava Tube System around the oreum was made a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, as part of the item Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.[1]
There are several other oreum in Jeju with similar names; this one is sometimes called the Seonheul-ri Geomunoreum or Dong Geomunoreum (동거문오름; lit. East Geomunoreum).[2]
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An early name for the oreum was Bangha Oreum or Banghaak (방하오름; 방하악; 防下岳).[2] The oreum's name was later attested to as Geomunoreum or Geomunak (거문악; 拒文岳).[2] The oreum's name is possibly related to darkness (검은; geomeun in the Gyeonggi dialect), referring to the unusually dark soil[1] or the dark forested areas of the oreum.[4]
It is estimated to have formed between 200,000 to 300,000 years ago.[1] It has 20 lava tube caves around it.[3]
Its highest point is 456.6 m (1,498 ft) above sea level, and occupies an area of 809,860 m2 (8,717,300 sq ft).[1][2] The oreum is shaped like a horseshoe that opens to the northeast.[1][2][5] It has a trench with a width of 80 to 150 m (260 to 490 ft) and depth of 15 to 30 m (49 to 98 ft). The trench was created from when an underground lava tube collapsed.[1] There is a dense pine and cedar forest on the oreum.[2]
The oreum hosted Japanese military facilities during the 1910–1945 Japanese colonial period. Some remnants of this period remain,[1] including mines.[5]
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Tourists are able to hike on the oreum. There are two main routes for tourists: Taegeuk (태극길) and Yongam (용암길). The former circles the crater and the oreum's peaks. The latter is only open once a year to tourists, and follows where lava would have flowed.[4] In 2008, an annual hiking competition for it was established.[1] It is during this hiking competition that Yongam is opened for access.[6][7] Guided tours of the oreum have been offered.[5]
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