• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2014

The Bobonaro m$\acute{e}$lange is one of the youngest syn-collisional m$\acute{e}$langes, located between the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates. The m$\acute{e}$lange has formed in association with a collision between the Australian continental margin and the Banda arc initiated in Neogene. The Suai area at the southern part of Timor is a good place to examine the genetic relationship between the m$\acute{e}$lange and other rock sequences because various tectonostratigraphic units coexist in the area. In this study, we present the structural characteristics and spatial distribution of the Bobonaro m$\acute{e}$lange investigated as a part of 1:25K scale geologic mapping in the area, and discuss on the origin of the m$\acute{e}$lange. The Bobonaro m$\acute{e}$lange in the Suai area is composed of unmetamorphosed clay matrix and blocks of various lithologies. The clay matrix mainly is reddish brown or greenish gray in colour, and has scaly texture. Most blocks are allochthonous, but mostly derived from nearby formations. Based on the internal structure and relationship with surrounding rocks, the Bobonaro m$\acute{e}$lange is genetically classified into 1) diapiric m$\acute{e}$lange; 2) tectonic m$\acute{e}$lange; and 3) broken formation. The spatial distribution of the Bobonaro m$\acute{e}$lange indicates that it intruded all pre-collisional units including the lower Australian continental margin unit(Gondwana megasequence) and the Banda arc unit. Taking the field evidences and previous genetic models into consideration, the Bobonaro m$\acute{e}$lange is interpreted to be mainly formed as a diapiric m$\acute{e}$lange originated from Gondwana megasequence, consistently effected by faulting events. This study reflects that diapiric m$\acute{e}$lange is a significant component in recent accretionay-collision belts. It suggests that diapiric process should be considered as a main genetic factor even in ancient m$\acute{e}$lange.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.620-642
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• 2006

The Moho structure and its deformation in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula were estimated using gravity and topography data. Gravity signals from the upper and lower crust were separated using a filter that was computed from isostacy and elastic thickness. The result of this study shows three characteristic features of the Moho deformation. First, the Moho folding structure is parallel to SKTL (the South Korean Tectonic Line), which indicates positive association with the collision of the Yeongnam and Gyeonggi Massifs and repeated compression afterwards. In contrast, noticeable deformation of the Moho was not observed along the Imjingang Belt, which is interpreted as another continental collisional belt in the Korean Peninsula. Second, the Moho beneath the Gyeongsang Basin has remarkably risen; this seems to be the result from both the collisional compression and buoyancy caused by magmatic underplating. Third, the Moho deformation is shallowest in the east of the Taebaek Mountains and deepens toward the west, consistent with the topographic characteristic of the Korean Peninsula of "high east and low west". It can be interpreted as the results of the opening of the East Sea and Ulleung Basin. A tectonic explanation for this could be the ascent of the mantle induced by continental rifting and horizontal extension at the early stage of the opening of the East Sea. The Moho deformation model computed in this study correlates well with the earthquake distribution and crustal movement measured by GPS. We suggest that the compression along the SKTL is still exerted, consequently, the Moho deformation is active, although it may be weak.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.144-153
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• 2008

Sr, Nd, Pb isotopic compositions of the Cenozoic basaltic rocks distributed in Pyeongtaek-Asan area display significantly enriched values compared with mid-ocean ridge basalts just like other Cenozoic basalts of Korea. The isotopic compositions of most of the Cenozoic basaltic rocks of Korea including those from Pyeongtaek-Asan area can be explained as mixing between enriched mantle component with relatively low $^{206}Pb/^{204}Pb$ ratios and depleted mantle component. In contrast, Jejudo basalts can be explained as mixing between enriched mantle component with realtively higher $^{206}Pb/^{204}Pb$ ratios and depleted mantle componsnt. Combined with that very similar division of enriched mantle components is applied to the Cenozoic basalts of northeast China and southeast China, it is suggested that subcontinental lithospheric mantle of central and southern parts of Korea represents eastern extension of North China Block and South China Block respectively. The indentation model for the late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic continental collision of China contradicts to such an interpretation, because it cannot explain occurrence of subcontinental lithospheric mantle component of South China Block-affinity under the Jejudo area. Instead, it is more probable that suture zone of the two continental blocks crosses between central and southern Korea and its location is further south from the Pyeongtaek-Asan area. Such distinct location compared with Imjingal belt, supposedly collisional boundary suggested before, suggests that mantle boundary may not be coincide with crustal boundary for the continental collision.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.180-188
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• 2007

We carried on CHIME zircon age dating for the Gamaksan alkaline meta-granitoid (GAM) from the northwestern margin of the Gyeonggi massif, and obtained a timing of regional metamorphism at $247{\pm}14Ma$ (n=103, MSWD=0.92). The age is compatible with Permo-Triassic regional metamorphic ages from the Imjingang Belt which has been regarded as possible eastward extension of Triassic collisional belt in China. Considering an extensional ductile shearing of the Gyeonggi (Kyonggi) Shear Zone which deformed GAM occurred at 226 Ma with temperature condition about $500^{\circ}C$ (Kim et al., 2000), and the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic Daedong Group unconformably overlies on top of the ductile shear zone, cooling rate of GAM over the period can be estimated as $18{\sim}10^{\circ}C/Ma$. Since new zircon begin to pow at temperature higher than upper-amphibolite facies condition (${\sim}700^{\circ}C$), cooling rate of GAM from peak metamorphism (247 Ma) to deposition of the Daedong G.oup (${\sim}$Early Jurassic) would be higher than $10^{\circ}C/Ma$. Such rapid cooling rate is compatible with that reported from exhumation stage of the Dabie-Sulu Belt, and supports an idea that the Gyeonngi massif is a part of Permo-Triassic orogenic belt in East Asia.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.273-288
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• 2011

Chon-Ashuu copper mining claim area is located, in terms of the geotectonic setting, in the northern part of the suture line which is bounded with the marginal part of Issik-kul micro-continent on the southern part of North Tien-Shan terrane. The geological blocks of Chon-Ashuu districts belong to the southern tip of Kazakhstan orocline. The rock formation of this area are composed of the continental crust or/and arc collage and the paleo-continental fragments-accretionary wedge complex of pre-Altaid orogenic materials. ASI(Alumina Saturation Index) of Paleozoic plutonic rocks in Chon-Ashuu area belong to the peraluminous and metaluminous rocks which were generated from fractional crystallization of Island and volcanic arc crusts in syn-post collisional plate. The geology of the ChonAshuu area consists of upper Proterozoic and Paleozoic rock formations. According to Harker variation diagrams for Chon-Ashuu arenaceous sedimentary rocks, the silty sandstone of Chon-Ashuu area showing the mineralogical immaturity were derived from Island arc or the marginal environments of active continent in Cambro-Carboniferous period. Numerous intrusive rocks of Chon-Ashuu area are distributed along north east trending tectonic structures and are bounded on four sides by the conjugate pattern. The most common type of the plutonic rocks are granodiorite and monzodiorite. According to the molecular normative An-Ab-Or composition (Barker, 1979), the plutonic rocks in Chon-Ashuu area are classified into tonalite - trondhjemite - granodiorite (TTG) series which are an aggregation of rocks which is the country rock of copper mineralization, that are formed by melting of hydrous mafic crust at high pressure.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.193-202
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• 2012

There were three cycles of igneous activities from the late Paleozoic to early Cenozoic; Permian to Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous to Paleogene. After the beginning of each igneous activity cycle, igneous activity became more frequent until its climax. It is noteworthy that A-type magmatisms are reported from near the ends of the all three igneous activity cycles. In addition, adakitic magmatisms occurred at the beginning of both the Permian-Triassic and the Cretaceous-Paleogene cycles. Most of the igneous activities during the late Paleozoic to early Cenozoic period were subduction-related. Therefore, transitions among beginning, proceeding, and closing of the igneous activity cycles would be intimately related with changes in directions of plate movements. In this context, I suggest following hypotheses. The closing of the Permian-Triassic igneous cycle was possibly a consequence of radical adjustment of plate motion occurred due to continental collision between north and south China blocks. Considering that no appreciable tectonic activities were recognized from the east Asian continent at the closing of the Jurassic igneous cycle, it seems that one of the strong events related with Gondwanaland-breakup and subsequent birth of the new oceans, which might cause sudden adjustments of plate motions. The closing of the Cretaceous-Paleogene igneous cycle seems to be caused as a consequence of the collision between India and Asia continents. Meanwhile, adakitic igneous bodies emplaced at the beginnings of the Permian-Triassic and Cretaceous-Paleogene cycles could be products of slab-melting during the early stages of the subduction.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.465-476
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• 2012

The Anatolia peninsula consists of several continental fragments that include the Pontide Block in north and the Anatolide-Touride Block in south as well as the Arabian Platform in southeast. These continental blocks were joined together into a single landmass in the late Tertiary. During most of the Phanerozoic these continental blocks were separated by paleo-oceans, such as Paleo-Tethys and Neo-Tethys. The Pontide Block in north show Laurasian affinities, and was only slightly affected by the Alpide orogeny; they preserve evidence for the Variscan and Cimmeride orogenies. The Pontic Block is composed of the Strandja, Istanbul and Sakarya zones that were amalgamated into a single terrane by the mid Cretaceous times. The Anatolide-Tauride Block in south shows Gondwana affinities but was separated from Gondwana in the Triassic and formed an extensive carbonate platform during the Mesozoic. The Anatolide-Tauride Block was intensely deformed and partly metamorphosed during the Alpide orogeny; this leads to the subdivision of the Anatolide-Tauride Block into several zones on the basis of the type and age of metamorphism and deformation. The Arabian Platform in southeast forms the northernmost extension of the Arabian Plate that shows a stratigraphy similar to the Anatolide-Tauride Block with a clastic-carbonate dominated Palaeozoic and a carbonate dominated Mesozoic succession. A new tectonic era started in Anatolia Peninsula in the Oligocene-Miocene after the final amalgamation of these continental blocks and plate. This neotectonic phase is characterized by extension, and strike-slip faulting, continental sedimentation, and widespread calcalkaline magmatism, which played a very important role in producing beautiful landscapes of the Anatolia Peninsula today.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.443-453
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• 2006

Using seismic profiles obtained in the Antarctic Peninsula continental margin around Smith Island located at the southwestern end of the South Shetland Islands, we investigated sediments distribution, sedimentation, continental shelf formation, and tectonic evolution history. The study area is a very unique area that has two tectonic provinces with a tectonic boundary near Smith Island just the landward projection of the Hero Fracture Zone (HFZ). To the southwest of the Island, the margin became inactive margin after the collision of the ridge crest of the Antarctic-Phoenix ridge and trench, whereas to the northeast the margin is still apparently active margin with the spreading center and trench morphology in the sea. Generally the northeastern margin has the shelf sedimentary basins wth thick sedimentary layers, well-developed forearc basin, broad continental slope and distinct trench morphology, and the southwestern margin is characterized by steep and narrow continental slope and localized shelf basins. the mid-shelf basement high structures are distinct in the southwestern margin, which are thought to be formed by thermal effect caused by the subducted spreading centers. The high is observed in the area just northeast of the Island, implying that the tectonic boundary along the landward projection of the HFZ is not sharply defined.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.20-33
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine the scientific activities of scientists justifying Wegener's continental drift in the 20th century, which is explained as a revolutionary process in earth science, and methodologically analyze the strategy of proposing new scientific theories and how the process of theory selection is carried out. Previously, the Earth was a static model and only the vertical movement of the crust was considered. However, the theory of continental drift proposed horizontal movement of the crust as a dynamic model of the Earth, eliminating numerous problems. Therefore, this study seeks to explore the rational activities of numerous scientists until the current plate tectonics theory was formed. Additionally, the theory of continental drift is in conflict with the theory of Earth shrinkage, which is an existing static model. In other words, it deviates from the existing mechanistic world view by presenting a dynamic model in which the Earth is created and changes, as opposed to a static model in which the Earth is already completed, fixed, and unchanged. As a result, old geology was weakened and new geophysics was born. The theory of continental drift and continued exploration by subsequent generations of scholars brought about a revolution in earth science. This can be said to be a good subject of investigation as educational material for various methodologies for students in earth science education, and as educational material for changing students' worldview.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.117-135
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• 2013

Orbicular granite gneisses occur as a xenolith within two-mica leucogranites, together with early Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary xenoliths, in Wangjeong-ri, Muju area. The whole-rock chemistries and SHRIMP zircon Pb/U ages of the leucogranites indicate that they are S-type granitoids formed in the continental tectonic setting at $1875{\pm}75$ Ma. The SHRIMP age of monazites from the orbicular granite gneiss gives $1867{\pm}4$ Ma as a metamorphic age which is similar to the intrusion age of the two-mica leucogranite within the error range. The similar ages between zircons and monazites represent that the orbicular granite gneisses formed by metamorphism during the intrusion of the two-mica leucogranite; the metasedimetary xenoliths which sank within the parent magma of leucogranites were metamorphosed into orbicular granite gneisses by thermal metamorphism ($650-740^{\circ}C$, 4-6.5 kbar) due to the heat supplied from surrounding magma. During the thermal metamorphism, the core of orbicular granite gneiss mainly consisting of cordierite formed, and in some orbicular granitic gneisses, the leucocratic melt formed by melting of quartz and plagioclase in the core, squeezed out from core and crystallized around the core forming outer rim. The hydrothermal fluid at the late stage of magma differentiation penetrated into the orbicular granite gneisses resulting pinitization of cordierite into chlorite and sericite. As Muju orbicula granite gneiss was formed from sedimentary rocks, it is more appropriate to be called Muju orbicula granitic gneiss.