Research Strategy on Columnar Joint in South Korea

Based on a summary of the previous studies on columnar joints, this study presents research strategies and subjects to understand a formation of columnar joints, and its application in South Korea as follows; geometry of colonnade and entablature, formation mechanism and pattern change, surface morphology and internal structure, platy joint at the top and the bottom of columnar joints, crack patterns in drying starch-water slurries, using numerical models and computer graphics on joint formation, scale and geometry concerned with occurrence of volcanic rock, petrological and mineralogical study of the host rock. Additionally, more research is needed, such as deformation of column pattern during the hot state, secondary landform by alteration and weathering on the Earth's surface such as rock stream, tor and tafoni. This study will take an active role in research of columnar joint and the Cenozoic lava flow of South Korea. Results of this study will be useful to the activation of geotourism and geological field study.