Late Pleistocene Fluvial Sequence in South Korea

In South Korea a Pedo-sedimentary Sequence(PS) indicating the Last Glacial Maximun(LGM) is typified y a brown to dark brown, relatively stiff paleosol layers formed by repetitive freezing and thawing processes which in turn left characteristi glossic textures in soil-solum, polygolnal structures with a flagipans, vertical soil wedges or freezing cracks, and horizontal foliations, As a pre-LGM sedimentary sequences (older than 25Ka), the Old Fluvial Sequence(OFS) overlain by the Slope Sedimentary Sequence(SS) are distributed commonly at the base level higher than 14-15m above present river-bed along the major river basin. After the LGM (ca. 18Ka), the Young Fluvial Sequence(YFS) appears at an altitude ascending order of sedimentary profiles. In this fluvial organic muds of Jangheungri site(Jinju), Sorori site(Cheonwon), and Youngsan estruarine rivermouth(Mokpo) were exemplified in order to interpret their formation ages and environments. As result of $^{14}C$ datings, the formation ages of te organic muds are Boelling to Alleroed (MIS-1). These organic muds were fomed in fluvial backswamp or local pond/bog in response to shifting fluvial system. On the basis of palynological production dominant with Abies/Picea-Betula and Ranunculaceae, Compositae, Cyperaceae, and Graminae, it was interpreted that more boreal to subboreal condition was prevailed rather than temperate like today during the formation of organic muds and soil moisture condition was a repetition of wet and dry condition.