• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.301-314
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• 2009

The Taebaeksan mineralized province, which is the most important one in South Korea, is rich in zinc-lead-tungsten-iron-copper-molybdenum-silver-gold mineral resources and has a diversity of deposit styles. These deposits principally coexist in time and space with porphyry-related epigenetic deposit such as skarn, hydrothermal replacement, mesothermal vein, and Carlin-like deposits. The magmatic-hydrothermal systems in the Taebaek fold belt is genetically characterized by the Bulguksa subvolcanic rocks(ca. $110{\sim}50\;Ma$) related to northwestward subduction of the paleo-Pacific Plate. The most important zinc-lead deposits in the area are the Uljin, Yeonhwa II and Shinyemi skarn, the Janggun hydrothermal replacement, and the Yeonhwa I intermediate-mixed (skarn/hydrothermal replacement) ones. In the present study, we present a compilation of metal production and mineral assemblage of the zinc-lead deposits. The metal difference of deposit styles in the area indicates a cooling path from intermediate-sulfidation to low-sulfidation state in the polymetallic hydrothermal system, reflecting spatial proximity to a magmatic source.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 1992

Whole rock and mineral ages for the Jecheon Granite distributed in the Ogcheon Fold Belt were dated by three radiometric methods, and its thermal history was elucidated as follows, on the basis of isotopic age data. Rb and Sr isotopic compositions of three whole rock and seven mineral concentrates made an isochron of 202.7${\pm}$ 1.9 Ma with a strontium initial ratio of 0.7140. Different age data of twelve mineral concentrates agree closely with the retention temperature of each mineral in K-Ar and Fission Track methods. The Jecheon granitic magma was generated by partial melting of crustal materials (S-type), or by mixins between mantle and crustal materials, intruded into the katazone or mesozone (7∼9 km) of the Ogcheon Fold Belt, at least in the Early Jurassic (about 203 Ma), and then crystallized and cooled down rapidly from about 600$^{\circ}C$ to 300$^{\circ}C$ (more than 20$^{\circ}C$/Ma), owing to thermal differences between the magma and the wall-rock. During the Middle to Late Jurassic (190∼140 Ma), the cooling of the granite was likely to stop and keep thermal equilibrium with the wall-rock. The severe tectonism associated with igneous activities and active weathering on the surface in Early to Late Cretaceous time (140∼70 Ma) might have accelerated the granite pluton to uplift rapidly (40∼60 m/Ma in average) up to 3∼4 km and cooled down from 300$^{\circ}C$ to 200$^{\circ}C$ (1.4 $^{\circ}C$/Ma). The granite pluton was likely to keep different uplifting and cooling rate of about 120 m/Ma and 5$^{\circ}C$/Ma in average from the Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary (70∼50 Ma), and about 60 m/Ma and 2$^{\circ}C$/Ma in average from about 50 Ma up to the present, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.128-139
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• 2022

This study aimed to investigate the tectonic setting of the volcanic edifice at Mt. Baekdu by analyzing petrochemical characteristics of Holocene felsic volcanic rocks distributed in the Baekdusan stratovolcano edifice and summit of the Cheonji caldera rim, as well as Pleistocene mafic rocks of the Gaema lava plateau and Changbaishan shield volcano edifice. During the early eruption phases, mafic eruption materials, with composition ranging from alkali basalt to trachybasalt, or from subalkaline (tholeiitic) basalt to basaltic andesite formed the Gaema lava plateau and Changbaishan shield volcanic edifice, whereas the Baekdusan stratovolcano edifice and Holocene tephra deposits near the summit of the Cheonji caldera comprises trachytic and rhyolitic compositions. Analysis results revealed bimodal compositions with a lack of 54-62 SiO₂, between the felsic and mafic volcanic rocks. This suggested that magmatic processes occurred at the locations of extensional tectonic settings in the crust. Mafic volcanic rocks were plotted in the field of within-plate volcanic zones or between within-plate alkaline and tholeiite zones on the tectonic discrimination diagram, and it was in good agreement with the results of the TAS diagram. Felsic volcanic rocks were plotted in the field of within-plate granite tectonic settings on discrimination diagrams of granitic rocks. None of the results were plotted in the field of arc islands or continental margin arcs. The primitive mantle-normalized spider diagram did not show negative (-) anomalies of Nb and Ti, which are distinctive characteristics of subduction-related volcanic rocks, but exhibited similar patterns of ocean island basalt. Trace element compositions showed no evidence of, magmatic processes related to subduction zones, indicating that the magmatic processes forming the Baekdusan volcanic field occurred in an intraplate environment. The distribution of shallow earthquakes in this region supports the results. The volcanic rocks of the Baekdusan volcanic field are interpreted as the result of intraplate volcanism originating from the upwelling of mantle material during the Cenozoic era.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.327-339
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• 2017

The Cretaceous Myeongseongsan Granite in the northwestern Gyeonggi Massif consists of a major pale pink-colored biotite monzogranite and a minor white-colored biotite alkaligranite. Low Sr and high Ba concentrations, negative Eu-anomalies in REE plot, negative Sr anomalies in spider diagram, a negative correlation between Sr and Rb, and positive correlations between Sr and Ba and $Eu/Eu^*$ indicate that a fractional crystallization of both plagioclase and K-feldspar played a significant role during magma evolution. The Myeongseongsan Granite is plotted in I-& S-type granites on I, S, A-type granite classification scheme. While the biotite monzogranite is plotted in unfractionated I-& S-type granite, the biotite alkaligranite is plotted in fractionated I-& S-type granite, which indicates that the biotite alkaligranite is a more differentiated product. In order to elucidate the nature of the protoliths of the peraluminous Myeongseongsan magma, we plotted in $Al_2O_3/TiO_2$ vs. $CaO/Na_2O$ and Rb/Sr vs. Rb/Ba diagrams, and they suggest that the Myeongseongsan Granite was derived from clay-poor metagreywackes and meta-psammites or their igneous counterparts. Whole-rock zircon saturation temperature indicates that the Myeongseongsan magma was melted at $740-799^{\circ}C$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.323-336
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• 2019

The Mesozoic activity on the Korean Peninsula is mainly represented by the Triassic post-collisional, Jurassic orogenic, and Cretaceous post-orogenic igneous activities. The diversity of mineralization by each geological period came from various geothermal systems derived from the geochemical characteristics of magma with different emplacement depth. The Cretaceous metallic mineralization has been carried out over a wide range of time periods from ca. 115 to 45 Ma (main stage; ca. 100 to 60 Ma) related to post-orogenic igneous activity, and spatial distribution patterns of most metal deposits are concentrated along small granitic stocks. The late Cretaceous metal deposits in the Gyeonggi and Yeongnam massifs are generally distributed along the boundary among the Gongju-Eumseong fault system and the Yeongdong-Gwangju fault system and the Gyeongsang Basin, most of them are in the form of a distal epithermal~mesothermal Au-Ag vein or a transitional mesothermal Zn-Pb-Cu vein. On the other hand, diverse metal commodities in the Taebaeg Basin, the Okcheon metamorphic belt and the Gyeongsang Basin are produced from various deposit types such as skarn, carbonate-replacement, vein, porphyry, breccia pipe, and Carlin type. In the late Cretaceous metallic mineralization, various mineral deposits and commodities were induced not only by the pathway of the hydrothermal solution, but also by the diversity of precipitation environment in the proximity difference of the granitic rocks. The diversity of these types of Cretaceous deposits is fundamentally dependent on the geochemical characteristics such as degree of differentiation and oxidation state of related igneous rocks, and ore-forming fluids generally exhibit the evolutionary characteristics of intermediate- to low-sulfur hydrothermal fluids.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.283-298
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• 2016

Sangumburi crater, designated as Natural Monument No. 63, recognized as a maar, but precise geological mapping and geological characteristics in the field indicate that Sangumburi crater is a pit crater. Two stages of volcanic activities created Sangumburi pit crater. Lava flow (aphanitic pyroxene basalt I) and associated pyroclastic deposit (pyroclast I), composed of ash and lapilli, were formed at the stage 1. In the stage 2, lava flow (feldspar olivine basalt) was overlain by lava flow (aphanitic pyroxene basalt II) and associated pyroclastic deposit (pyroclast II), composed of agglomerate. Sangumburi pit crater formed at $0.073{\pm}0.036Ma$, determined by Ar-Ar age dating for the feldspar olivine basalt at the stage 2. It is not clear the preferred migration direction of subsurface magma after Sangumburi pit crater formed.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.34-45
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• 2004

This paper describes the textural relations of mantle xenoliths and fluid inclusions in mantle-derived rocks found in alkaline basalts from Jeju Island which contain abundant ultramafic, felsic, and cumulate xenoliths. Most of the ultramafic xenoliths are spinel-lherzolites, composed of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and spinel. The felsic xenoliths considered as partially molten buchites consist of quartz and plagioclase with black veinlets, which are the product of ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism of lower crustal materials. The cumulate xenoliths, clinopyroxene-rich or clinopyroxene megacrysts, are also present. Textural examination of these xenoliths reveals that the xenoliths are typically coarse grained with metamorphic characteristics, testifying to a complex history of evolution of the lower crust/upper mantle source region. The ultramafic xenoliths contain protogranular, porphyroclastic and equigranular textures with annealing features, indicating the presence of shear regime in upper mantle of the Island. The preferential associations of spinel and olivine with large orthopyroxenes suggest a previous high temperature equilibrium in the high-Al field and the original rock-type was a Al-rich orthopyroxene-bearing peridotite without garnet. Three types of fluid inclusions trapped in mantle-derived xenoliths include CO$_2$-rich fluid (Type I), multiphase silicate melt (glass ${\pm}$ devitrified crystals ${\pm}$ one or more daughter crystals ＋ one or more vapor bubbles) (Type II), and sulfide (melt) inclusions (Type III). C$_2$-rich inclusions are the most abundant volatile species in mantle xenoliths, supporting the presence of a separate CO$_2$-rich phase. These CO$_2$-rich inclusions are spatially associated with silicate and sulfide melts, suggesting immiscibility between them. Most multiphase silicate melt inclusions contain considerable amount of silicic glass. reflecting the formation of silicic melts in the lower crust/upper mantle. Combining fluid and melt inclusion data with conventional petrological and geochemical information will help to constrain the fluid regime, fluid-melt-mineral interaction processes in the mantle of the Korean Peninsula and pressure-temperature history of the host xenoliths in future studies.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.627-636
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• 2012

In the Obongri-Goseong area of Gangwondo, South Korea, there are six densely distributed volcanic edifices i.e., Duibaejae, Oeumsan, Galmibong, 249 m height, 166 m height, and 102 m height, and two other volcanic edifices including Goseongsan and Unbongsan volcanic edifice that are separately located from a distance. A previously undiscovered 249m volcanic edifice in Obongri was found in this investigation, and the six volcanic edifices distributed in Obongri will be referred to as the Obongri volcanic edifice group. Volcanic edifices in this area were interpreted by other researchers as being volcanic plug, plug dome, and cylindrical volcanic pipe type edifices. The aim of this study is to investigate the aspect of volcanic activity in the Obongri-Goseong area and the formation of volcanic edifices by examining of the shape of volcanic edifices, stratigraphy, and characterization of volcanic products. All the volcanic edifices in the area are composed of basaltic rocks on the Mesozoic granite basement, and the prevalence of the dome shape increased towards the upper part of the mountain. Three volcanic edifices (Duibaejae, 166 m height, 102 m height) include intercalated pyroclastic deposits between the basaltic rocks and the basement. The pyroclastic deposit in the Duibaejae volcanic edifice is composed of quartz, feldspar, granite fragments originated from the basement, and scoria fragments originated from the volcanic eruption. In addition to angular olivine, plagioclase, and pyroxene xenocrysts, all the basaltic rocks contained mantle xenolith, gabbroic xenolith originated from the lower crust, and granitic xenolith originated from the basement. This fact indicates that magma rapidly rose to the surface and that the volcanic activity was explosive. It is also interpreted that, as the basaltic magma became highly viscous due to the large amount of xenocrysts, the erupted magma formed a dome structure on the surface. The original dome structure was then severely eroded out leaving a plug dome formation on the basement.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.186-198
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to identify the composition elements and processes of the rock cycle that pre-service teachers in earth science field understand. Second-year students majoring in earth science were selected as research objects, all of whom attended teacher's university located in the southern region. The methods of arranging the composition elements of the rock cycle in a structured way and displaying the cycle direction through the arrow and describing the cycle processes in detail were applied. Pre-service teachers recognized 5 composition elements: magma, igneous rocks, sediments, sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks of the rock cycle and cycle processes was represented into 20 branches. The cycle type was analyzed by four criteria: linear, triangular, circular, complex, some pre-teachers did not complete the loop of the cycle or some showed incomplete understanding of the cycle structure simply displayed in one direction. The rock cycle is an important theme of the earth system education characterized by dynamism and complexity.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.587-597
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• 1995

Two distinct precious-metal mineralizations actively occur at central and southeastern Korea which display consistent relationships among geologic, geochemical and genetic environments. A large number of preciousmetal vein deposits in the central Korea occur in or near Mesozoic granite batholiths elongated in a NE-SW direction. Whereas, gold and/or silver deposits in the southeastern Korea occur within Cretaceous volcanic and sedimentary rocks. However, most of the precious-metal deposits in the southeastern Korea show characteristics of the silver-rich deposits than the gold-rich deposits in the central Korea. Two epochs of main igneous activities are recognized: a) Jurassic Daebo igneous activity between 121 and 183 Ma, and b) Cretaceous Bulgugsa igneous activity between 60 and 110 Ma. Precious-metal mineralization took place between 158 and 71 Ma, coinciding with portions of the two magmatic activities. Contrasts in the style of mineralization, together with radiometric age data and differences in geologic settings reflect the genetically variable natures of hydrothermal activities from middle Jurassic to late Cretaceous time. The compilation and re-evaluation of these data suggest that the genetic types of hydrothermal precious-metal vein deposits in the central and southeastern Korea varied with time. The Jurassic and early Cretaceous mineralizations are characterized by the Au-dominant type, but tend to change to the Au-Ag and/or Ag-dominant types at late Cretaceous. The Jurassic Au-dominant deposits commonly show several characteristics; prominent associations with pegmatites, simple massive vein morphologies, high fmeness values in ore-concentrating parts, and a distinctively simple ore mineralogy such as Fe-rich sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, Au-rich electrum, pyrrhotite and/or pyrite. The Cretaceous precious-metal deposits are generally characterized by some- features such as complex vein morphologies, low to medium fmeness values in the ore concentrates, and abundance of ore minerals including Ag sulfosalts, Ag sulfides, Ag tellurides and native silver. Mineralogical and fluid inclusion studies indicate that the Jurassic Au-dominant deposits in the central area were formed at the high temperature (about $300^{\circ}$ to $500^{\circ}C$) and pressure (about 4 to 5 kbars), whereas mineralizations of the Cretaceous Au-Ag and Ag-dominant deposits were occurred at the low temperature (about $200^{\circ}$ to $350^{\circ}C$) and pressure (<0.5 kbars) from the ore fluids containing more amounts of less-evolved meteoric waters.