• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.217-232
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• 2001

One of the molt debatable Issues on geomorphological study in Korea should be the discussion over the formation process of gent1e slope surfaces on the piedmont area. In this study, the characteristics of spatial distribution and the formation process of geomorphic surfaces were investigated by classifying the alluvial fans as three geomorphic surfaces alluvial the Bulguksa fault-line The fan surfaces, distributed along the west slue of Bulguksa Mts, consists the confluent alluvial fans continuously along the N-S direction The surfaces of Sincheon-Hyomun district juxtaposed to the Ulsan Bay must be infulenced by sea-level chance during the Quaternary Taken together, these observation suggests that the major four factors contributed to the fan formation 1) rather longer freeze-and-thaw cycle during the Glacial period. 2) the steep mountain slope along the west side of Bulguksa Mts.. which had been resulted from the horizont stress of EAst Sea 3)the tectolinear fault system developed by structural movement along the Bulguksa Fault-line valley. and 4) the erosion-labile characteristics of bedrock In this urea which is consisted of the Bulguksa granite and the sedimentary rock formed in Cretaceous period.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.179-192
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• 2012

Paleo-environments such as vegetation and climate changes from the Last Glacial Maximum to the Holocene are reconstructed by the results of pollen analysis in the floodplain of Cheonan River, Seongjeong-dong, Cheonan-si, Chungnam Province. In the pollen zone I (approximately 23,000-15,000 yr BP), the area studied was covered by the extensive grassland with sparse wood. The climatic conditions were very cold, but it might not be so severe compared to the intermontane area in the Yeongnam area. This zone corresponds to the 'very cold' stage of Woldstedt(1962) and Yoon and Jo(1996). No pollen horizon(pollen zone II) deposited between approximately 15,000 and 10,000 yr BP corresponds to the transitional stage from the Last Glacial Maximum to the Holocene. The horizon consists of the dark gray brown sand deposits different from the other horizons dominated by the silty deposits and these sedimentary properties may be attributed to the dramatic climate changes between the very cold stage and warm stage. The pollen zone III formed between approximately 10,000 and 6,000 yr BP shows clearly different pollen compositions indicative of temperate climate conditions.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.71-80
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• 2001

To understand paleoceanographic environmental changes in the Esat Sea during the transitional period between Holocene and last glacial maximum, geochemical high resolution study was conducted by using a piston core(95PC-1) samples collected from the southernmost part of the Ulleung Basin. Geochemical results reveal that major distinctive paleoceanographic variations in transitional period are prominent. Major elemental concentrations show distinctive variations between glacial and Holocene suggesting changes in sediment supply. $TiO_2/Al_2O_3$ ratio of the sediment indicates different sediment composition between Holocene and glacial period. The content of total organic carbon ranging from 0.5% to 4% during transitional period. These vslues showed 2-4 times and two times higher than those of last glacial and Holocene, respectively. The C/N ratios deduced from organic matters exceed10 during transitional period suggesting terrigenous organic matter are supplied from continent, especially during last glacial maximum. Carbonate contents are relatively stable during Holocene and last glacial maximum with gradual decrease during glacial period with high fluctuation during transitional period. The variations of chemical index of weathering (CIW) also show a distinctive variation between glacial and Holocene, which is coincident with those of carbonate and organic carbon. The grain size distribution indicates that the difference content of silt fraction during Holocene and glacial period is closely related with climatic effect during glacial period. Therefore geochemical differences in sediment composition between Holocene and last glacial maximum is thought to be related to paleoceanographic, sea-level change and local paleoclimatic changes.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.545-556
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• 2003

Detailed interdisciplinary investigations demonstrate that the Yeongsan River estuarine-filled sediments clearly record important paleoenvironmental changes during the Last Glacial and Holocene. The sediments from 18.9 m(20.5∼l.6m in depth) long core MW-1 are differentiated by changes in sedimentary textures and palynomorph assemblages. Chronology was provided by AMS$^{14}$C dating and regional pollen correlation. Three paleoenvironrnental phases are recognized: (1) The Last Glacial deposits consist mainly of fluvial sediments and paleosols, experienced deposition alternating with pedogenesis. The appearance of the paleosols suggests that the paleoclimate might be cold and humid. (2) The early and middle Holocene phase started abruptly in response to the rapid global climatic warming. and is characterized by abundant marine palynomorphs. (3) The late Holocene is marked by more cool conditions. The paleoenvironmental changes recorded in the sediments coincide not only with local but also with broad-scale, probably global climate changes.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2001

According to the change of stream power/resisting power relationship due to the crustal movement or the climatic change, most channel landforms which reflect the equilibrium state of fluvial system are eroded and a part of them is remained as a river terrace. In many rivers in Korea are extensively distributed the relatively younger low river terraces. But their accurate formation mechanism is not known. In this paper, the formation processes and the dating of low river terraces distributed in Nakdong River basin will be investigated. Stream power of the downward erosion was revived because the sea level fell down. So stream power was superior to the resisting power under the cool-wet climatic condition during the last glacial period. Thus the river bed was excavated deeply, so that low river terraces were built up. And many incised meander loops were cut during this period. But, when fluvial system did not have equilibrium over all reaches, the last glacial period ended and the sea level initiated to rise rapidly. The headward erosion from the fall of sea level during the last glacial period had kept up to Hagye Fall because of the cutting of incised meander loops. Deeply excavated valleys and abandoned channel of cut-meander in lower reaches of a stream were filled with sediments. Thus the longitudinal profile of the uppermost reaches reflect the last interglacial, the upper reaches the last glacial, and the middle/1ower reaches recent fluvial system. Therefore low river terraces have been formed since the last glacial period.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.192-203
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• 2009

The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the formative processes of depositional landforms in Jiwoo drainage basin which located in the most upstream reach of Namgang River. Through the analysis of morphologic characteristics and sedimentary facies, the formative processes can be summarized as follow: First, the high depositional landforms(Sapyeong, Eungam, Naedongdyttle site) were formed by gelifluction process in the periglacial environment during the last glacial period. And the relative height over river bed of them is getting lower from upper to downstream. The extent of the high depositional landforms is assumed about 1 kilometer downstream far from the confluence of Jiwoo stream and Namgang River. Second, the sediments in the gentle slope at Jangseungbuldle were carried by gelifluction process during the last glacial stage after the deep-weathered bedrock had formed a gentle slope. Third, the high depositional landforms were dissected during warm and humid environment of postglacial stage, and some sediments of them were left in the river bed. Later, as the more upstream high depositional landforms were dissected completely, stream power was getting more than resistance(sediment storage) and the low depositional landforms(Sapyeong, Yongchusa, Deungbangdle site) were formed.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2013

The pollen analysis was performed targeting the valley plain alluvium of Jangjae-ri, Asan area in order to clarify the climate and vegetation environment of the Last glacial maximum and the Late glacial in terms of Gokgyo River Watershed In Asan-City, Korea. The sample collection point gets included in the current deciduous broadleaf forest zone (south cool temperate zone). The results are as follows. (1) The vegetation environment of about 19,300-14,100yrB.P. at the investigation area is mainly classified into YJ-I period and YJ-II period while YJ-Ia period is classified once again into YJ-Ia period and YJ-Ib period. YJ-Ia period (19,300-17,500yrB.P.) is correlated with the Last Glacial Maximum while the vegetation at the time has relatively a little wide distribution area of grassland compared to the forest and the forest vegetation of this time period is the mixed conifer and deciduous broad-leaved forest. YJ-Ib period (15,400-14,750yrB.P.) is correlated with the Late glacial (or the Last Glacial Maximum) and the distribution area of grassland became wider compared to the forest. While the forest vegetation of this time period is the mixed conifer and deciduous broad-leaved forest, a difference exists in terms of the dominant tree species. YJ-II period (about 14,650-14,100yrB.P.) is correlated with the Last glacial while the distribution area of grassland became even wider than the forest compared to the YJ-Ib in case of the vegetation at the time and the forest vegetation of this time period is the coniferous forest. (2) Both YJ-I period and YJ-II period were relatively cold and dry compared the End of Late Glacial (about 12,000-10,000yrB.P.)~Early Holocene (10,000-8,500yrB.P.), Also, YJ-II period was relatively colder than the YJ-I period and the YJ-Ib period was relatively more humid than the YJ-Ia period.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.41-68
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• 1993

In the loess-paleosol sequences from central Great Plains, U.S.A., variation in magnetic susceptibility, FD, NRM have been proven to be excellent proxy for paleoclimate, and the standard interpretation is that climatic processes have enhanced the rock magnetic intensities. By using mineral magnetic properties, we show the magnetic signal is due to pedogenesis during the warm and possibly wet interglacials and interstadials. Other proxy records, such as stable carbon isotope and phytolith, are in good agreements with the magnetic records.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 1991

The distribution of cryophilous arctic-alpine and alpine plants in Korea is reviewed in connection with palaeoenvironment, along with a discussion to their origins, patterns of migration, and their refugia. At present, the estimated number of Korean arctic-alpine and alpine species is 419, and this includes 75 arctic-alpine species, 239 alpine species and 105 Korean endemic alpine species. The disjunctive distribution of cryophilous arctic-alpine and alpine plants is likely to be due to first, the downslope and southward expansion of those species towards the Korean peninsula as a primary refugia from the arctic region as the Pleistocene glacial phases approached, and then their subsequent isolation upslope in mountain areas toward a secondary refugia as the interglacial and post-glacial climatic ameliorations followed; secondly, the expansion of forest tree communities on lowland and montane areas subsequent to the end of the Pleistocene has had the effect of dividing formerly high mountains as a result of the increased competition; and thirdly, the general disapperance or restriction of available habitats for arctic-alpine and alpine species because of post-glacial climatic amelioration. The existence of 139 alpine species exclusively in the north of Korea may be due to the following reasons; first, frequent exchanges of alpine floras with other neighbouring East Asian regions would have been facilitated; secondly, there are numerous high mountains available for the alpine plants to survive and prosper during the post-glacial period; thirdly, the existence of easy accesses between mountains within the north, which has enabled alpine floras to migrate when necessary; and finally, the availability of diverse environments and habitats for the alpine flora of the north. However, the continued survival of those species in Korea at the world's or East Asia's southernmost limits of their distribution for many species is in danger if global warming associated with the greenhouse effect takes place.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.173-182
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• 1996

The intent of this paper is to examine the talus in Chon-hwang-san in the southern part of Korean Peninsula, and then analyze its geomorphic feature and origin. The research is summarized as follows; (1) The talus is 220m long and the range of the width from 10 to 75m. The mean gradient is $33^{\circ}$ and the mean block size is $110{\times}59cm$(long axis$\times$short axis). The overall appearance of the talus is tongue-shaped and the geology of the constituent blocks is dacite. (2) This talus has two particular geomorphic landscapes. One is that the talus has not free face as source of blocks back of itself; the free face of the talus has been parallel retreated to disappearance by frost attack. The other is that the upper part of the talus is on the ridge. (3) This talus is classified into rock fall talus type, and the shape of rock fragments is angular. When considered in conjunction with face of being mentioned above, the morphology and lithology of the talus are best explained on the basis of origin under periglacial environment during late pleistocene time. (4) Most constituent rock debris are now lichen-covered, or covered with a mantle of weathering. There is no evidence of appreciable movement and for supplying block. Therefore, the talus appears to be relict or fossil form stage, currently.