• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.251-277
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• 2019

The Gogunsan Archipelago is composed of two island groups; the first group includes Mal-do, Myeong-do, Gwangdae-do, and Bangchuk-do islands consisting of Neoproterozoic rocks, and the second group includes Yami-do, Sinsi-do, Muneo-do, Jangja-do, and Seonyu-do islands consisting of Cretaceous rocks. The first group mainly consists of the Bangchuk formation which can be divided into two layers; the lower layer was more deformed than the upper layer. The former was intruded by mafic and felsic volcanic rocks formed in the volcanic arc tectonic setting 930-890 Ma and the latter was deposited ca. 825-800 Ma. In these islands, large scale folds with east-west fold axes were beautifully formed; the Maldo island fold was designated as natural monument and large scale beautiful chevron fold was developed on the Gwangdae-do island. In addition, there are unique zebra-shaped outcrop formed by a mixing of basic and acidic magma and Independent Gate shaped outcrop formed by coastal erosion. On the other hand, the Yami-do, Sinsi-do, Muneo-do, Jangja-do and Seonyu-do islands consist of 92-91Ma Cretaceous volcanic rocks and, in Sinsi-do island, the Nanshan formation deposited ca. 92 Ma. These Cretaceous volcanic rocks formed by melting of the continental crust by the heat supplied from the uplifting mantle due to the extension caused by a retreat of subducting ocean slab. Yami-do and Sinsi-do islands are composed of rhyolite. In Yami-do island, bands with vertical joint formed by cooling of the bottom part of the lava, are shown. In Sinsi-do island, large-scale vertical joints formed by cooling of lava flow, were developed. The Jangja-bong of Jangja-do island and Mangju-bong of Seonyu-do island are composed of brecciated rhyolite and formed a ring shaped archipelago contributing to the development of marine culture by providing natural harbor condition. They also provide beautiful views including 'Seonyu 8 views' along with other islands. As mentioned above, the Gogunsan archipelago is rich in geoheritages and associated cultural and historical resources, making it worth as a National Geopark.