Jeju’s unique forests, called “gotjawal,” are much younger than had been thought. New research suggests they formed up to 20,000 years later than previous estimates. Here’s Joseph Kim to explain this new finding.
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‘Gotjawal’ forests cover 10% of island
Gotjawal, often referred to as the lungs of Jeju, a treasure trove, is formed in Gujwa, Jocheon, Aewol and Hangyeong areas covering 7700ha. It covers over 10% of Jeju-do island’s forest land with the exception of Hallasan National Park.

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Formed 20,000 years later than previously thought
It’s drawing attention now that the Gotjawal forest is 20,000 years younger than previously believed, now estimated to be around 10,000 years old.

The Korea Forest Research Center Subtropical Forest Institute and Jeju World Natural Heritage Center Hallasan Research Institute used radiocarbon dating to determine the age of the Gotjawal.

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It is estimated that the Aewol Gotjawal is 10,400 years old, the Hangyeong Gotjawal 6,000 years old, Gujwa-Seongsan Gotjawal 9,400 years old and the Seonheul Gotjawal 11,000 years old.
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In other words, the lava extrusion of the Gotjawal formed around 10,000 years ago, which in geological terms, is very young.

The youngest lava extrusion in Jeju was on Songaksan Mountain which is around 3,800 years ago. Since it was not old enough to form a soil deposit, it has not been used as farmland but remained as forest.

[INTERVIEW]
Ahn Woong-san / Jeju World Natural Heritage Center
The lava that formed the “gotjawal” was so recent that soil deposits couldn’t form. The areas therefore could not be used as farmland and were left as forests.
<인터뷰:안웅산 제주도 세계유산한라산연구원 연구사>
"곶자왈을 이루는 용암의 연대가 워낙에 젊어서 표면부에 토양층이 만들어질 수 있는 시간이 아주 짧았다. 그래서 농토로 사용되지 못하고 순전한 자연의 숲으로 남아있을 수 있었던 거죠."

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Kim Seung-cheol

This research finding is considered a turning point to understanding various characteristics of the Gotjawal. Also, it would provide a basis of understanding of Gotjawal’s formation and ultimately keys to long-term conservation plans and practical applications of Jeju’s native forest.

[INTERVIEW]
Ahn Woong-san / Jeju World Natural Heritage Center
From the “gotjawal” ages, we can figure out how old the parasitic cones are in the mid-slope region, as well as how they formed.
<인터뷰:안웅산 제주도 세계유산한라산연구원 연구사>
"곶자왈의 연대를 밝힌다는 것은 중산간에 있는 오름들의 연대, 생성순서, 선후 관계도 밝힐 수 있기 때문에..."

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Joseph Kim

Moreover, if additional research on Oreum extrusion around the Gotjawal area is conducted, it will increase the geological value and various geological tourism contents could potentially be developed.

Joseph Kim KCTV