• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.680-690
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• 2022

Tephrochronology uses regional tephra for age dating and stratigraphic correlations. Regional tephras are important in Quaternary geology and archaeology because they can be used as stratigraphic time-markers. In this review, identification and dating methods of tephra are summarized. In addition, the characteristics of regional tephras in terrestrial deposits of the Korean Peninsula are elaborated, and geological applications and limitations of the regional tephra layers are also discussed. So far, AT, Ata, and Kb-Ks tephra layers from Kyushu, Japan have been found in Pleistocene paleosol, marine terrace deposits, and lacustrine deposits in Korea. Also, although not officially confirmed, Aso-4 tephra is likely to occur in terrestrial deposits. The regional tephra layers are vital for dating, especially with regard to sediments over 50 ka beyond the range of radiocarbon dating, and for dating of active faults. Furthermore, it can provide important information for preparing countermeasures against volcanic disasters. However, in order to use the tephra layer geologically, it must be confirmed whether it is a primary deposit based on sedimentological study.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.27-44
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• 2004

Upper reach of Soyang River at the northernmost area around Taebaek Mountains in South korea is profitable area to understand paleo-environment during the Quaternary such as tectonic process and climate change in the Korean Peninsula. This study explained paleo-environment affect to channel development by geomorphic distribution and characteristics of terrace surfaces, and analysis of deposits at 58 fluvial terraces in upper reach of Soyang River. Fluvial terraces were classified from T1 to T6. Most terraces are distributed on the point bar in meandering channel and one side along river valley. Terraces tend to decrease in number and superficial dissection rate to be higher and channel slope to be steeper if it takes long time from T1 to 6. The paleo-channel of Soyang River is supposed to be stronger meandering in period of T2 than T3. The weathering rind of gravel is generally thicker in older terrace, however, differs by contents of water and air in deposits. Based on the data of stratigraphy, grain size analysis, pollen analysis and rubification index in deposit, formation age of T5 terrace in Soyang River are estimated in MIS(Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage) 10, and T2 terrace are estimated in MIS 6.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.187-195
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• 2014

In this paper, we report new OSL ages of the marine terrace sediments at Suryum fault site, using single grains of quartz, and briefly discuss their chronological implications on the timing of terrace formation along the southeastern coast of Korea. Of 1200 grains measured, 93 quartz grains were found to have OSL properties suitable for dating, the equivalent dose ($D_e$) values of which varied significantly, ranging from 50 Gy to 610 Gy with the overdispersion of $30{\pm}4%$. Applied to the Central Age Model (CAM) and Minimum Age Model (MAM), these quartz grains showed the OSL ages of $83{\pm}4ka$ and $60^{+3}{_{-7}}ka$, respectively, both of which are stratigraphically inconsistent with the previously reported OSL ages of lower $2^{nd}$ terrace (MIS 5a; ~80 ka). However, Finite Mixture Model (FMM) revealed that a small fraction of the measured quartz grains ($6{\pm}4%$) were of the ages ($194{\pm}24ka$) corresponding to MIS 7. Conclusively, based on single grain OSL ages, it would be prudent not to exclude the possibility that the marine terrace sediments at Suryum fault site have formed during MIS 7. Further, our single grain OSL ages imply that multiple grain(single aliquot) OSL dating methods are not applicable to the marine sediments at Suryum fault site.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2011

The physical and chemical characteristics of loess-paleosol sequence in Jeongjang-ri, Geochang basin are examined using the magnetic susceptibility measurement, grain size analysis, OSL age dating, major, rare earth and trace elements analysis. The grain size characteristics of the loess-palesol sequence are obviously different from those of river sediment forming river terrace deposits and the Chinese Loess Plateau. The loess-paleosol sequence consisting of L1, L1LL1, L1S1, L1L2, S1 and L2 from top to bottom is estimated to MIS 2~MIS 6 and the river terrace to MIS 7. The compositions of major, rare earth and trace elements indicate that the sequence show more weathered characteristics than the Chinese Loess Plateau and originated from the Chinese Loess Plateau. These features are in harmony with the previous studies in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.447-454
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• 1998

As a widespread tephra erupted 24 to 25 KA, Aira-Tn Ash, or AT, provides an invaluable datum for stratigraphic study of late Pleistocene in Northeast Asia. AT can be identified from their tonal characteristic and morphology (the so­called bubble-wail feature), as well as typical refractive index. First reported in 1983, its presence was confirmed from many palaeolithic deposits distributed throughout Korea. It forces us to reconsider the age of prominent Pleistocene deposits. At the famous archaeological site of Chon-gok-ni, presence of AT lends a firm support that sedimentation and deposition of lithic assemblage were in fact a late Upper Pleistocene event, thus, throwing a new question at archaeologists to explain why such archaic-looking tools were continued to be made. Discovery of AT at Chongdongjin is more surprising, since the coastal terrace has been regarded by many as an early Lower Pleistocene eustatic feature. It implies strongly that we need to devise a new scheme for Quaternary stratigraphy. In the absence of reliable datum and marker for Quaternary research, efforts must be given to search for and identify AT and other widespread tephras.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.171-182
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• 1973

Gemorphological and photogeological techniqes are applied to the problem of geological mapping of a semi-arid area, Albudeite, Southeastern Spain. As a result of this, a geological and surface materials map is made which shows the upper Miocene formation, which mainly consists of marl, limestone and sandstone, is further subdivided into three members, i. e. lower, middle and upper, and the post-Miocene deposits were differentiated into seven stratigraphic units, and mapped. The relationships between geology, landforms and land comlexes previously reognized have been reviewed. The methods adopted have proved to be valuable in interpreting and mapping a compex relationship in which highly variable bedrock outcrops and shallow surface materiales produced under sub-aerial conditios.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.473-490
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• 2016

This study aims to analyze the regional geomorphology of the Chugaryeong Tectonic Valley which has been one of the most important areas for Korean geomorphological research. Though the Chugaryeong Tectonic Valley has been thought important for the tectonic settings and orographic processes in Korea, geomorphological and geological discussions still are sustaining for finding out evidences of the settings. The Chugaryeong valley region has many geomorphic themes such as tectonic structure, volcanics, river, mountain, terrace, lake and sediment layers. The research of the valley focuses on the comprehensive analysis of the previous references mainly including geomorphic naming, geomorphology and geology, and history of the study for estimating the origin of tectonic valley, formation of the lave plateau, change of river structure by dissection, restoration of the landform before lava eruption, and the processes and age dating of the various landforms. Conclusively, the Chugaryeong Tectonic Valley may be recognized as the linear region of the tectonic and volcanic landforms with other various applied geomorphic settings.