Ulleungdo

[edit] Daehanjiji (1899) – Ulleungdo and Liancourt Rocks The Japanese map of 1724 – Oki Islands (lower right), Liancourt Rocks (center), and Ulleungdo (left)Archaeological evidence indicates that the island was first inhabited in the 1st millennium BC.[citation needed] The first confirmed historical reference to Ulleungdo is in the historical text Samguk sagi for the year 512. In that year, the Silla general Kim Isabu conquered the island, which had previously been the autonomous nation of Usan-guk. Some accounts relate that he used a number of wooden lions to intimidate the population, threatening to turn them loose unless they surrendered. Usan-guk did not remain under the Silla rule, however, and the island did not become a permanent political part of Korea until 930, when it was annexed by Goryeo. Ulleungdo was attacked a number of times during the late Goryeo and early Joseon dynasties. It was devastated by Jurchen pirate raids in the 11th century, and by Wokou pirate raids in the 14th century. A clash with Japan over fishing rights in the 1690s was precipitated by the Korean fisherman An Yong-bok. In response to these difficulties, Joseon adopted an "empty-island" policy, which, however, proved impossible to enforce. The empty-island policy was officially rescinded in 1881, after which the government sought to encourage additional settlement of Ulleungdo.[citation needed] American whaleships cruised for right whales off the island between 1848 and 1892. Some went ashore nearby Jukdo to club pinnipeds.

[edit] Ulleungdo is a volcanic island that rose from the seabed during the Cenozoic period, and consists of trachyte, andesite, and basalt. Hot spot volcanic activity by the General Isabu seamount, dissolved Simheungtaek seamount and Liancourt Rocks and Ulleungdo with An Yong-bok seamount was created as well. Liancourt Rocks is 4.6 million years ago estimated 2.5 million years ago, and the creation of Ulleungdo to us, 2.5 million years ago in 5,000 years ago. The island consists primarily of trachyandesite rock. A major explosive eruption around 8000 BCE decapitated its top to form a caldera. There is Seonginbong Peak in the center of the island. The Nari Basin is part of a caldera in the northern part of the island, and is the island's only flat surface. The Nari Basin is a unique caldera floor formed by the collapse of the central part of the volcano, and further volcanic activity within this caldera created the Albong (egg peak), making it a rare example of a double volcano structure. Ulleungdo has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa), though it resembles the west coast of Japan much more than Korea, since winters are cloudy with heavy rainfall, albeit not to the same extent as cities such as Kanazawa or Akita. Highest Temperature: 35.4 °C (95.7 °F) on August 8, 2013 Lowest Temperature: −13.6 °C (7.5 °F) on February 26, 1981 Highest Daily Precipitation: 257.8 millimetres (10.15 in) on September 3, 1981 Wettest Year: 2,236.9 millimetres (88.07 in) in 2003 Climate data for Ulleung (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1938–present) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 15.3(59.5) 19.2(66.6) 21.8(71.2) 26.1(79.0) 30.8(87.4) 32.2(90.0) 34.6(94.3) 35.4(95.7) 32.4(90.3) 27.2(81.0) 24.5(76.1) 18.6(65.5) 35.4(95.7) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 4.4(39.9) 5.6(42.1) 9.6(49.3) 15.1(59.2) 19.7(67.5) 22.5(72.5) 25.5(77.9) 26.9(80.4) 23.2(73.8) 18.8(65.8) 13.2(55.8) 7.2(45.0) 16.0(60.8) Daily mean °C (°F) 1.7(35.1) 2.5(36.5) 5.8(42.4) 11.1(52.0) 15.8(60.4) 19.1(66.4) 22.7(72.9) 23.8(74.8) 20.0(68.0) 15.4(59.7) 9.9(49.8) 4.3(39.7) 12.7(54.9) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −0.5(31.1) 0.0(32.0) 2.9(37.2) 7.8(46.0) 12.5(54.5) 16.5(61.7) 20.5(68.9) 21.7(71.1) 17.7(63.9) 13.0(55.4) 7.4(45.3) 1.9(35.4) 10.1(50.2) Record low °C (°F) −11.6(11.1) −13.6(7.5) −9.9(14.2) −2.7(27.1) 3.8(38.8) 7.8(46.0) 12.5(54.5) 14.7(58.5) 8.9(48.0) 0.7(33.3) −5.9(21.4) −9.6(14.7) −13.6(7.5) Average precipitation mm (inches) 117.4(4.62) 91.3(3.59) 76.4(3.01) 97.8(3.85) 108.5(4.27) 116.8(4.60) 175.0(6.89) 176.7(6.96) 173.6(6.83) 100.9(3.97) 116.9(4.60) 129.3(5.09) 1,480.6(58.29) Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 18.8 14.5 12.0 9.0 8.6 8.6 12.0 11.6 10.6 9.3 13.1 18.2 146.3 Average snowy days 17.7 13.2 7.4 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 3.4 13.1 55.9 Average relative humidity (%) 68.6 68.4 67.5 67.2 70.2 79.6 84.7 83.4 79.3 71.4 67.6 67.3 72.9 Mean monthly sunshine hours 102.0 118.1 180.5 216.5 238.5 185.5 165.1 176.6 163.7 178.8 132.0 104.1 1,961.4 Percentage possible sunshine 29.5 34.2 45.1 53.7 51.7 39.7 33.6 38.8 42.5 50.7 42.6 33.7 41.7 Source: Korea Meteorological Administration (percent sunshine 1981–2010)

[edit] The island and surrounding water were registered as a marine protected area to secure rich biodiversity in 2014. The rowan tree species Sorbus ulleungensis is endemic to the island. A 2024 genetic analysis determined that a beech tree, Fagus multinervis, is endemic to Ulleungdo. It was previously assumed to be conspecific with Fagus engleriana, a Chinese beech tree, as they are phenotypically identical. North Pacific right whales and pinnipeds were targeted by whalers and sealers in the adjacent waters. Fin whales were also commonly observed historically, and other cetaceans, such as minke whales and dolphins, may appear around the island. Japanese sea lions, now extinct, once bred on the island. A 2013 study estimated that 1,177 species of insects inhabit the island.

[edit] Favorite activities for tourists are hiking, fishing, and eating hoe (a Korean raw fish dish). Sightseeing boats make regular three-hour circuits about Ulleungdo, departing from the harbor at Dodong and passing by all the points of interest along the coast, including many interesting rock formations and the small neighboring island of Jukdo. Other scenic sites are Seonginbong, the highest peak on the island (984 m (3,228 ft)); Bongnae waterfall; the "natural icehouse"; and a coastal cliff from which the Liancourt Rocks can be discerned in the distance. An airport on the island was planned since 2013 and is under construction since 2020. The design of the new airport was revamped in 2023 for larger aircraft and is expected to open in 2027. Chotdaebawi Rock (literally "Candle Rock") is one of the most well-known natural landmarks of Ulleungdo. The 30-meter-high basalt column rises vertically from the sea near Dodong Harbor and resembles a candle standing upright, hence its name. It is a popular sightseeing spot for visitors to the island and is often included in boat tours around the coast.