Caves: A Wonderful Underground

[Wayne Harrison]

Korea was the featured nation at last year¡¯s Frankfurt Book Fair held in the German city Oct. 19-22. The Korean organizing committee selected 100 of the nation¡¯s finest books and translated them into various languages for the world¡¯s biggest publishing event. In cooperation with the Korean Literature Translation Institute, The Korea Times introduces the 46 books translated into English. - ED.




Caves: A Wonderful Underground
Woo Kyung-sik, translated to English by Park Kyeong, Chang Eun-mi; Hollym: 230 pp., 18,000 won (English Book)

Jisungsa: 224pp., 15,000 won

The book was published to encourage scholars and the public to better understand caves in Korea. It explains the different kinds of caves, the process of cave formation, products derived from caves, and the organisms that live in caves.

Woo also explains why the characteristics of caves make them natural treasures. Woo Kyung-sik describes how the caves have been utilized and maintained for hundreds of years. Caves provided more than shelter; they were used as fortresses, water pipelines, resting places, rafting courses, and much more.

He points to the kind of information and knowledge that can be acquired through the study of caves. These are the reasons, he argues, that we should protect and preserve them.

Caves that are open to the public are being damaged rapidly. Caves are very sensitive to pollution and temperature change. Thus, when many people enter them simultaneously, the subsequent rise in temperature harms the cave¡¯s ecosystem. Illegal extraction of stalactites also destroys these natural treasures that have formed over thousands of years.

Other information the reader may find interesting are joints and stratification, and the minerals found in the caves. Facts from the famous Guinness Book of Records related to caves are provided separately. The book is well illustrated and contains an array of pictures used to support the author¡¯s points.

The author also provides useful tips for caving. He lists items needed when caving; these include a head lantern, chest belt, safety belt, elbow pads, kneepads, emergency rations, and blanket. He also provides three guidelines for the caver: Leave only footprints, take only pictures, and only kill time.

It is known that there are scores of thousands of caves in the earth¡¯s surface. Caves provide shelter for animals. But caves also contain huge quantities of geological information on environmental changes in the earth surface that have occurred throughout history.

Caves are classified into various types according to their formation and appearance. For example, limestone caves are formed as water percolated through the earth¡¯s surface creating rare forms and shapes. Limestone caves are affected by water and they are very sensitive to pollution.

In Korea there are more than a thousand caves. Sea caves are located along the shores of the peninsula. Lava tube caves were formed by the volcanic eruptions of Mt. Halla on Cheju Island.

There are limestone caves in inland areas. Many people have visited and viewed these caves but few understand them or realize their true value. Alas, with increasing tourism what has been naturally preserved for millions of years is rapidly being destroyed.

Thus, the author argues, as with the environment in general, Koreans need to be made aware of the vital importance of maintaining the variety of caves on this overpopulated peninsula and understanding the need for their conservation.

Woo is currently a professor in the Department of Geology at Kangwon National University. He is also in charge of the Cave Research Institute of South Korea.

The Korea Times
02-10-2006 19:27