SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – A Cenozoic fossil site in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, will be designated as a national natural monument due to its significant value for study, boasting a diverse array of plant fossils, including beech and oak.
The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on Tuesday its intention to register the Cenozoic Fossil Site of the Geumgwangdong Formation in Geumgwang-ri, Donghae-myeon, Pohang, as a state-designated cultural heritage national monument.
The Cenozoic Fossil Site of the Geumgwangdong Formation in Pohang is a natural treasure, characterized by layers of different plant fossils. Sedimentary rocks with an approximate thickness of 70 meters are scattered in small groups in the area. The rocky area is believed to have formed about 20 million years ago during the expansion of the East Sea.
An investigation has identified more than 60 types of plant fossils in the area. Prominent species found here include metasequoia, beech, oak, birch, and maple trees. The fossils of previously unrecorded species are also present.
The academic community speculates that these diverse plant fossils were preserved in this area due to leaves accumulating in a humid climate when volcanic activity was relatively weak.
Notably, the presence of plant fossils such as beech trees, which are a characteristic species of Ulleungdo, and the Japanese umbrella pine, native to Japan, in the same location enables researchers to infer the conditions before Japan completely separated from the Korean Peninsula.
The Cenozoic Fossil Site of the Geumgwangdong Formation in Pohang not only preserves the sedimentary environment but also holds significant academic value.
The Cultural Heritage Administration emphasized its importance, stating that the variety of plant fossils and high fossil density make it a crucial resource for understanding the sedimentary environment, vegetation, and climate changes on the Korean Peninsula during the early Cenozoic era.
The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to utilize the Cenozoic Fossil Site of the Geumgwangdong Formation for educational purposes through additional investigation and research.
During the 30-day notice period, the Cultural Heritage Administration will collect opinions from various sectors and determine the natural monument designation after a deliberation and review process.
Image credit: Cultural Heritage Administration / photonews@koreabizwire.com
