Hantangang River Geopark

Guraigol Valley is a compound word of Gur+Awi and is also called Gulbawi and was named as such because the gorge looks like a cave in summer when bushes grow thick.

Guraigol Valley is the small basalt gorge formed in the stream of the Hantan River and is one of places where you can well observe three kinds of lava with different cooling processes. Unit C observed at the top has a thickness of about 5m and columnar joint is not developed and is split into an odd shape. Also, weak clinker is developed at the bottom.

The separation structure of the cylindrical form is well observed at the middle and bottom part and this indicates that Unit C was cooled relatively slowly. Unit B is divided into top·middle·bottom depending on the development status and characteristics of columnar joint. The bottom where columnar joint is well developed is developed relatively larger and more irregularly than the middle part. In the middle part, columnar joints of 20~30cm in diameter are regularly developed. At the top of the upper part, 2~3 lava shell layers are observed and columnar joints are developed under them but diameter appears larger than columnar joints in the middle part.

Lava unit that can be seen in Guraigol Valley Gorge 1

Lava unit that can be seen in Guraigol Valley Gorge 2

Currently, trails and outdoor parks are created around Guraigol Valley and this is a beautiful geological attraction you can enjoy with your family.