Vertically Development Processes of Jangho-ri Coastal Dune, West Coast of Korea

고창 장호리 해안사구의 수직 발달 과정 연구

Samples from two boreholes of coastal dune field at Jangho-ri coast, Gochang was studied. These were analyzed by grain size analysis geochemical analysis, and the application of OSL dating method to understand the development during the Holocene. The boreholes SB8 and SB9 were classified into three different sedimentary layers by their mean grain size and geochemical characteristics. The results revealed that the upper sand layer is equivalent to the present coastal dune layer, which developed since 1,200 years ago; the silt layer in the middle to the dune slack or lagoon sedimentation layer, which developed between 1,200 and 6,000 years ago; and the sand layer at the bottom to the paleo coastal dune that developed between 6,000 and 7,000 years ago. It was proposed that the forming material of current coastal dune was supplied from the sandy flat in coastal area, while the middle silt layer was supplied from the weathered soil of a bed rock by the comparison with material of surrounding area. In the case of coastal dune, concentrated layer of sands were identified which were buried about 300 and 1,200 years ago, which is identified as the little ice age. This study confirmed the development of Jangho-ri coastal dunes after Holocene Climate Optimum period, and it is likely to assist in the understanding of coastal dunes development.