• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 1999

Three deep borings to obtain vertical continuous samples including weathered basement soils (KP-1, KP-2 and KP-3) were carried out in the reclaimed Kimpo tidal flat with purposes to establish late Quaternary stratigraphy. On the basis of detailed observations and descriptions on color, sedimentary structure and textural composition of cored sediments, four lithostratigraphic units are classified. From the stratigraphic top to bottom, they are Holocene tidal sand and muddy deposit (Unit I), early Holocene freshwater marsh muddy deposit (Unit II), late Pleistocene tidal sand and muddy deposit (Unit III) and late Pleistocene basal fluvial gravel deposit (Unit IV). In particular, Unit III is divided into two parts: the upper part-weathered and cryoturbated part during the Last Glacial Maximum (Unit III-a) and the lower part-unweathered tidal sand and muddy deposit (Unit III-b).

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.99-106
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• 1999

The surfacial bottom sediments on the nearshore to infer continental shelf off the Taean Peninsular, west coast of Korea are dominantly medium-grained clastic sands. About 60% and 20% of these clastic sands are partly iron-stained quartz and completely iron-stained quartz, respectively. Characteristically glauconite grains are abundantly found in these clastic sands. The mineral compositions of clastic sandy sediments in the study area are very similar to those of East China continental shelf sediments. Accordingly, such iron-stained quartz grains, glauconite grains and associated textural characteristics seem to indicate that those sandy sediments are relict sediments related to past condition, i.e. Quaternary low stands of sea level.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.75-78
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• 2003

This study is conducted to examine the solar radiation features of landscape in Eastern Mongolia and their space and time distribution characteristics. To many foreigners, the name Mongolia conjures up images of the vast steppes of Central Asia. And, indeed, the extensive grasslands of the steppe make up the heart of Mongolia-geographically and economically. Steppe covers nearly the entire far eastern part of Mongolia, extending west in a narrowing band just south of the Khangai and Khan Khokhii mountains all the way to the Depression of the Great lakes. Eastern Mongolia is recognized as one of the last remaining untouched grassland steppes in the world. Landscape of Eastern Mongolia divided by 19 types that belongs to High Mountain, Middle Mountain and low mountain steppe. Only 5.6% of the total land area is covered by forest. Eastern Mongolian steppe is homeland of migratory rare and endangered birds and about 2.0million freely migrating gazelles. According to Mongolian scientists, there is growing evidence of fundamental changes in the Eastern steppe ecosystems in terms of increasing aridity during the last 70 years. As estimated average annual temperature has increased by approximately 0.7oC, soil moisture, energy supply has been changing. These processes closely interrelated into water and energy cycle of steppe ecosystem.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to identify the species and to date the woods used in the Keunjung-jeon Hall, main building of the Kyungbok palace in Seoul. Samples (144) were divided into two parts, pillars (52) and other wood materials (92). Only two species were identified. They were Abies holophylla Max. and Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.Eleven among 20 Pyungju (outer pillars) were Abies holophylla, and 9 were Pinus densiflora. Seven among 12 Naejinkoju (inner pillars) were Abies holophylla, and 5 were Pinus densiflora. Three among 4 Gwikoju (inner corner pillars) were Abies holophylla, and one was Pinus densiflora. In the other wood materials, only 2 of 92 were Abies holophylla, and the others were Pinus densiflora. Tree-ring dating proved that this building was reconstructed during late 1860s. It also revealed that the old woods cut in the 17th century were reused.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2003

Environmental changes caused by the abrupt climatic change are one of the important issues in the scientific community. In the East Sea, abrupt climatic shift, called Younger Dryas, is identified. The age of the Younger Dryas cold episode occurred at 11.2 ka. Overall, changes in circulation and bottom water conditions occurred during the Younger Dryas cold episode in the study area. Especially, climatic transition from meltwater spike to the Younger Dryas cold episode is characterized by significant shifts of oxygen isotope values, the coiling ratios of Neogloboquadrina pachyderma, and the planktonic foraminifers abundances. The impact of abrupt climate change on the ecosystem is very significant. In the East Sea, the calcium carbonate secreting organism(foraminifers) is replaced by silicon dioxide secreting organisms(diatom, radiolarian) after the abrupt and severe cold climatic event. Based on the Doctrine of Uniformitarianism, at least climate change for the next 100 years would be severely influence on the marine ecosystem.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.13-14
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• 2003

It is generally well known that Quaternary is characteristic geologically in terms of glacial and interglacial repeats and their associated unconformity formation. This paper deals with the first finding of the characteristic and significant meaningful unconformity between Holocene and late Pleistocene, which implies submergence and emergence of the tidal sedimentary basin along the western coastal zone of Korea during interglacial stage(IOS-5e) and glacial time(IOS-2). The stratigraphy of intertidal deposits in the Haenam Bay, western coast of Korea shows two depositional sequence units (Unit I of Holocene and Unit II of late Pleistocene) bounded by an erosional surface of disconformity. The disconformity is related to the latest Pleistocene sea-level lowstands (probably during the LGM). The Unit II is interpreted as intertidal deposit showing tidal sedimentary structures and crab burrow ichnology and has two parts (the upper part and the lower part) showing different lithology and character. The upper part of Unit II shows characteristic subaerial exposure features (emergence) and its related lithology. Such subaerially exposed upper part (more or less 4m to 5m in thickness) is characterized by yellow-brownish sediment color, cryoturbat-ed structure, crab burrow ichnofacies and high value of shear strength. Geochemical and clay mineral analyses of the upper part sediments also indicate subaerial exposure and weathering. In particular, very high value of magnetic susceptibility of the upper part in comparison to that of the lower part is interpreted as pedogenetic weathering during the subaerial exposure period.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.25-32
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• 2003

Mongolia, a land-locked country in Central Asia, is located in the region of the highest degree of seasonal contrast on Earth. This paper presents sedimentologic and geomorphic data used to infer Holocene climate change in North-Central Mongolia. Correlation of data show that the climate was cold and dry before 10500 years BP. The post glacial warming occurred from 10500 to 8700 yr BP. The climate was characterized by becoming warmer and dry from 7300 to 6090 radiocarbon years. Between 6100 and 5500 years ago, conditions were hyper arid. Increased effective moisture balance but still arid conditions prevailed between 5500 and 3900 years ago. Since 3900 years ago, generally more humid conditions prevailed and originated varved sediment accumulation. Between about 2300 to 1300 years ago, greater than present day effective moisture balance. Since 1200 years ago climate was cooler and since 600 years ago becoming warmer.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.53-68
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• 1996

강원도 주문진에서 양양에 이르는 해안평야의 지형형성과 고환경을 신석기유적의 기초조사 연구의 하나로서 연구하였으며 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 제4기 최종빙기의 최성 기에 해당되는 15,000y.B.P. 경에는 연구지역은 해수면의 하강에 따른 연장하천의 개석곡으 로서 아한대의 침엽수림의 육상영역하에 있었다. 2. 15,000y.B.P.경 이후 해수면은 기온의 호 전으로 7,500y.B.P에 이르기까지 서서히 상승하였고 이에 따라 개석곡은 연장하천의 후퇴로 육성에서 얕은 하성으로 바뀌었다. 3 해수면 상승은 7,500y.B.P. 이후 빨라지면서 해진 (transgression)으로 되었고 그결과 개석곡은 4,000y.B.P.경에 이르러 하성에서 내만 또는 익 곡의 기수성으로바뀌게 되었다, 이 기간은 후빙기의 이른바 고온기(hypsithermal period)로 서 낙엽활엽수 시대였고 내만 또는 익곡의 가장자리에서는 수생식물이 생육하는 습지환경으 로 변모되었다. 4. 개석곡을 내만 또는 익곡으로 변모시킨 해진은 1,500yB.P.경까지 이어지 면서 지금의 고도에서 안정되었다. 그 결과 내만 또는 익곡의 만입부에서 사주가형성되면서 내만 또는 익곡은 곳에 따라 담수 또는 기수역의 석호로 변하였고 기후는 이전의 고온시대 와는 달리기온은 조금식 하강하는 한랭기후로 서서히 변모시켰다. 5. 석호는 1,000y.B.P. 경 에 이르는 동안 배후로부터 운반된 하천의 토사와 전면의 풍성사 그리고 무성하게 생육하는 수생식물에 의해 서서히 고석호로 등장되기 시작되었다. 6. 1,000y.B.P. 이후 현재에 이르는 동안 하천의 토사와 풍성사의 퇴적증가로 육화가 가속되면서 본래의 개석곡은 매적곡으로 등장되었고 그 결과 지금의 해안평야가 형성되었다.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1988

L'analyse des galets fractures decouverts sur les sols d'habitat de la grotto du Lazaret permet de penser que la cassure des galets se serait produite sur place dans la grotte, soit par des actions naturelles, soit par des actions des hommes prehistoriques. D'apres la comparaison des resultats obtenus par 1'etude exprimentale, les cassures des galets sont liees a plusieurs modes de fraturation. On peut seulement dire que les trois modes (1,3 et 5) sont susceptibles de donner des indications sur 1'aspect intentionnel de certains types de fracturation.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 1988

The deposit (named Kanweoldo deposit) unconformably overlain by the Holocene tidal deposit is mainly exposed along the tidal channel of the Sajangpo tidal flat of Cheonsu Bay, west coast of Korea. The Kanweoldo deposit's sedimentary textures, sedimentary structures and erosion surfaces of the stratigraphic events have been investigated. The Kanweoldo deposit is mainly composed of mud, silt and sandy mud. The sedimentary criteria indicating intertidal deposit i.e. lenticular bedding, thinly and coarsely interlayered bedding, wavy lamination and flaser bedding are positively found in the Kanweoldo deposit. The deposit is semi-consolidated and brown in color, and has erosional contact (stratigraphic boundary) with the overlying Holocene tidal deposit. Considering such Kanweoldo deposit's sedimentary characteristics and stratigraphic relation with the Holocene tidal deposit, the Kanweoldo deposit seems to be deposited under intertidal environment during Riss-Wurm interglacial period and subaerially exposed and eroded during the last glacial period.