El sitio comprende tres áreas que suman 18.846 hectáreas, o sea el 10,3% de la superficie de la isla de Jeju, que es la porción más meridional del territorio de la República de Corea. Las tres áreas son: el Geomunoreum, considerado como la red de grutas formadas por túneles de lava más bella del mundo, con techos y suelos carbonatados multicolores y paredes oscuras de lava; el cono de tuf de Seongsan Ilchulbong, parecido a una fortaleza surgida de las aguas del océano, que forma un paisaje espectacular; y el monte Hallasan, la cumbre más alta de Corea, con sus cascadas, sus formaciones rocosas de múltiples configuraciones y su cráter ocupado por un lago. El sitio no sólo es de una belleza fuera de lo común, sino que además constituye un testimonio de las características y procesos de la historia geológica de nuestro planeta.

Valor universal excepcional en inglés

Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes is a coherent serial property comprising three components. The unequalled quality of the Geomunoreum lava tube system and the exhibition of diverse and accessible volcanic features in the other two components demonstrate a distinctive and important contribution to the understanding of global volcanism. Criterion (vii): The Geomunoreum lava tube system, which is regarded as the finest such cave system in the world, has an outstanding visual impact even for those experienced with such phenomena. It displays the unique spectacle of multi-coloured carbonate decorations adorning the roofs and floors, and dark-coloured lava walls, partially covered by a mural of carbonate deposits. The fortress-like Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone, with its walls rising out of the ocean, is a dramatic landscape feature, and Mount Halla, with its array of textures and colours through the changing seasons, waterfalls, display of multi-shaped rock formations and columnar-jointed cliffs, and the towering summit with its lake-filled crater, further adds to the scenic and aesthetic appeal. Criterion (viii): Jeju has a distinctive value as one of the few large shield volcanoes in the world built over a hot spot on a stationary continental crust plate. It is distinguished by the Geomunoreum lava tube system, which is the most impressive and significant series of protected lava tube caves in the world and includes a spectacular array of secondary carbonate speleothems (stalactites and other decorations), with an abundance and diversity unknown elsewhere within a lava cave. The Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone has exceptional exposures of its structural and sedimentological characteristics, making it a world-class location for understanding Surtseyan-type volcanic eruptions. The property is well managed and resourced, with a management plan in place for the period 2006-2010 and resources for its implementation. Key management issues include avoiding potential agricultural impact on the underground environment and managing the high number of visitors to the property. There is potential for further extension of the property to include other significant lava tube systems and volcanic features of Jeju.