• 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.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.311-324
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• 2014

The Hongjeom formation of the Pyeongan Supergroup in the Munkyeong coalfield mainly consists of metapsammite and metapelites. Metampelites occur as slate preserving chloritoid+chlorite+muscovite and andalusite+biotite+chlorite+muscovite mineral assemblages. Chloritoid and andalusite occur as porphyroblast, and the matrix composed of fine-grained micas. Metamorphic P-T conditions for these mineral assemblages are $510-520^{\circ}C$ and 3.0-3.5kbar based on P-T pseudosection in $MnO-K_2O-FeO-MgO-Al_2O_3-SiO_2-H_2O(MnKFMASH)$ system and isopleth intersections of Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios in chloritoid and chlorite. The medium temperature and low pressure metamorphism resulted from a higher geothermal gradient ($40-45^{\circ}C/km$) condition than that of burial metamorphism. The youngest (SHRIMP U-Pb age; ca. 327-310 Ma) detrital zircon grains from the Hongjeom formation display oscillatory zoning and relatively high Th/U ratio (0.60-1.12). Based on the previous sedimentary, paleontological, and geochronological studies in the Taebaeksan basin together with results of this study, we suggest that (1) initial deposition of the Hongjeom formation was contemporaneous with a magmatic activity in the provenance, (2) the Pyeongan Supergroup was deposited in an arc-related basin at an active continental margin during the Carboniferous to Permain, and (3) magmatic activities occurred repetitively in relatively short interval in the active continental margin had continuously supplied sediments to the basin.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.313-331
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• 2022

Natural or native abiotic molecular hydrogen (H₂) is a major component in natural gas, however yet its importance in the global energy sector's usage as clean and renewable energy is underestimated. Here we review the occurrence and geological settings of native hydrogen to demonstrate the much widesprease H₂ occurrence in nature by comparison with previous estimations. Three main types of source rocks have been identified: (1) ultramafic rocks; (2) cratons comprising iron (Fe²⁺)-rich rocks; and (3) uranium-rich rocks. The rocks are closely associated with Precambrian crystalline basement and serpentinized ultramafic rocks from ophiolite and peridotite either at mid-ocean ridges or within continental margin(Zgonnik, 2020). Inorganic geological processes producing H₂ in the source rocks include (a) the reduction of water during the oxidation of Fe²⁺ in minerals (e.g., olivine), (b) water splitting due to radioactive decay, (c) degassing of magma at low pressure, and (d) the reaction of water with surface radicals during mechanical breaking (e.g., fault) of silicate rocks. Native hydrogen are found as a free gas (51%), fluid inclusions in various rock types (29%), and dissolved gas in underground water (20%) (Zgonnik, 2020). Although research on H₂ has not yet been carried out in Korea, the potential H₂ reservoirs in the Gyeongsang Basin are highly probable based on geological and geochemical characteristics including occurrence of ultramafic rocks, inter-bedded basaltic layers and iron-copper deposits within thick sedimentary basin and igneous activities at an active continental margin during the Permian-Paleogene. The native hydrogen is expected to be clean and renewable energy source in the near future. Therefore it is clear that the origin and exploration of the native hydrogen, not yet been revealed by an integrated studies of rock-fluid interaction studies, are a field of special interest, regardless of the presence of economic native hydrogen reservoirs in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Mineralogical Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.54-54
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• 2003

The metasedimentary rocks together with various granitoids are the main constituents in Taebaeksan gneiss complex, northern Yeongnam Massif. Chemical compositions of sedimentary rocks may reflect the nature of the provenance and could be crucial for understanding the evolution of early continental crust. Previous workers have suggested that the provenance and tectonic studies based on the geochemistry of sediments are applicable to the Precambrian samples. In this study we analyzed the major, trace and REE elements of metasedimentary rocks to understand their provenance and tectonic setting during sedimentation. The overall geochemical characteristics of metasedimentary rocks are similar to those of average shale of the post-Archean. Major element chemistry indicates mature and sorted nature of the sediments. The degree of weathering in the source rocks the is not uniform, as inferred from a large scatter in chemical indices of weathering (CIW). The immobile trace elements such as Th, Sc, and REE can be used to discriminate various sedimentary processes. The Th/sc ratios (0.9 - 4.4) are larger than those of the upper crust and average shale, suggesting that the felsic source predominates. The contents of Ni and Cr and the variations in the ratio of compatible to incompatible elements are similar to the average post-Archean shale. Uniform chondrite-normalized REE pattern with the LREE enrichment (LaN/SmN = 4.9 ${\pm}$ 0.4) and slight negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu$\^$*/ = 0.7 ${\pm}$ 0.1) also support this observation. The presence of negative Eu anomaly indicates that intracrustal igneous processes involving plagioclase separation have affected the provenance rocks. The LREE enrichment implies the major role of felsic rocks in source rocks. The eNd (1.9 Ga) values of metasediment rocks vary from 9.4 to 6.7, corresponding to TDM of 2.9 - 2.7 Ga. On the other hand, the 147Sm/144Nd ratios are 0.1079 - 0.1101, corresponding to typical tettigenous sediments. The geochemical features of metasedimentary rocks such as high abundances of large ion lithophile elements, high ratios of Th/Sc and La/Sm, commonly high Th/U ratios, negative Eu anomalies, and negative eNd, suggest a provenance consisting virtually entirely of recycled upper continental crust in passive margin environment. Tectonic discrimination diagrams based upon major element compositions also support this suggestion. In conjunction with igneous activity and metamorphism in the convergent margin setting at 1.8 - 1. 9 Ga, the transition from passive margin to active margin characterize the Paleoproterozoic crustal evolution in northern Yeongnam Massif.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.167-180
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• 2010

The geochemical studies on the plutonic rocks of the Geochang, the central part of the Ryongnam massif, were carried out in order to constrain the petrogenesis and the paleotectonic environment. The objects of this study are dioritic rocks, biotite granite and hornblende granite. The modal compositions indicate that the dioritic rocks are quartz diorite, quartz monzodiorite, tonalite, biotite granites are granodiorite, granite and hornblende granites are granite, quartz monzonite, quartz syenite. These rocks belong to the calc-alkaline series. Especially, trace elements such as Sr, Nb, Sr, Ti are depleted, suggesting that these rocks are produced in the subduction zone related to calc-alkaline series. Also, the studied granitic rocks correspond to peraluminous and I-type. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns show that LREE are enriched much more than HREE, and have weak Eu(-) anomaly. It is similar to pattern of Jurassic granitoids in the South Korea. Total REE value of the biotite granite and hornblende granite ranges 76.21~137.05 ppm and 73.84~483.21 ppm, respectively, also $(La/Lu)_{CN}$ value ranges 9.61~36.47 and 7.17~21.85. It is suggest that studied rocks suppor their emplacement at active continental margin. Also, these rocks are derived from magma generated by partial melting of lower continental crust materials.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.149-166
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• 2018

Many large earthquakes have continuously been reported and resulted in significant human casualties and extensive damages to properties globally. The accident of Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan was caused by a mega-tsunami, which is a secondary effect associated with the Tohoku large earthquake (M=9.0, 2011. 3. 11.). Most earthquakes occur by reactivation of pre-existing active faults. Therefore, the importance of paleoseismological study have greatly been increased. The Korean peninsula has generally been considered to be a tectonically stable region compared with neighboring countries such as Japan and Taiwan, because it is located on the margin of the Eurasian intra-continental region. However, the recent earthquakes in Gyeongju and Pohang have brought considerable insecurity on earthquake hazard. In particular, this region should be secure against earthquake, because many nuclear facilties and large industrial facilities are located in this area. However, some large earthquakes have been reported in historic documents and also several active faults have been reported in southeast Korea. This study explains the evaluation methods of geological structures on active fault, fault damage zone, the relationship between earthquake and active fault, and respect distance. This study can contribute to selection of safe locations for nuclear facilities and to earthquake hazards and disaster prevention.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.463-471
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• 2018

In this paper, we review previous studies on the relative sea-level changes in the Yellow Sea during the Holocene to comprehensive understand the various research results. Currently, it is reported two theories : 1) the Holocene sea-level has never been higher than the present-day level; and 2) sea-level have reached highstand during mid-Holocene, followed by slow lowering to that of the present. The first theory yields a curve that is similar to a climate-change-related eustatic sea-level curve. However, in reality, most of the relative sea-level fluctuation resulted from land uplift or subsidence. The second theory yields a curve that is fairly coincident with a relative sea-level curve indicative of continental margins being located away from the ice sheets(i.e., far-field), and is considered as an effect of GIA(Glacio Isostatic Adjustment) and gravitational attraction. Based on detailed review of previous researches, we realized that they sourced the same papers, but obtained different results because they selectively chose and added the data. The data used to derive the second theory pertain to the northern Gunsan region, which is located within the western area of the Chugaryeong fault. Thus, we believe that the sea-level curve for the second theory is only representative of the area north of Gunsan, which is subject to GIA and tectonic deformation. Although the relative sea-level curve for the west coastal area is comparable to that for the far-field continental margin region, it is necessary to evaluate local tectonic activities as suggested by active seismicity in the west coastal area and the more than 400 faults currently existing in on the Korean Peninsula.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.188-199
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• 1996

Boeun granodiorite, which intruded into the metasedimentary rocks of the Ogcheon Group, show chemical natures of metaluminous and calc-alkaline. Generating and emplacing environment of the Boeun granodiorite would have been a active continental margin. Comparing to the contemporaneous Inje-Hongcheon granodiorite in the Gyeonggi massif, the Boeun granodiorite seems likely to have formed under more immature continental arc environment. Compositional changes of major, trace and rare earth elements in granodiorite and felsic dyke are not certain to indicate crystallization differentiation. From this fact, the simple fractional crystallization model would be in question to explain the magma process which controlled the formation of the Boeun granitic mass. The model calculations for Rayleigh fractionation, fractionation with variable major-component composition, assimilation-fractional crystallization (AFC) were carried out to examine the magma process of the mass. The results of former two models do not agree with the compositional variations in the mass. The AFC model can be, however, applied to the magma process. The conditions for AFC process are (1) composition of assimilated wallrock is similar to that of primary magma. (2) assimilating rate is similar to crystallizing rate, and (3) mass of assimilated wallrock is about 10% of that of the magma. These conditions deny a possibility that the assimilated wallrock was the metasedimentary rocks of the Ogcheon Group. This indicates that after having experienced the assimilation process in deeper crust, the granodiorite magma intruded into the Ogcheon group. Every model calculating suggests that the felsic dyke was differentiated not from the granodiorite magma, but from a different source magma.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2005

Sphene U-Pb ages were determined for the granodiorites from Gimcheon, Seongju and Anui areas of the middle Yeongnam massif. The determined ages were in the narrow range of 195.7±2.4∼200.8±1.9(2σ) Ma that are approximately coincident with the boundary between Triassic and Jurassic. Even though the studed plutons are aerially separated, they reveal quite similar major element compositions and almost identical ages, suggesting that they were generated from the similar source materials under the identical tectonic environment and thus they can be considered to form a single suite. Considering the age and spatial distribution of the Triassic to Lower Jurassic plutons of the Yeongnam Massif and Okcheon Belt, it seems that there were episodic changes in tectonic environment in both areas with relatively short intervals. In general, the compressive environment of active continental margin was prevailed. However, the tensional environment of within-plate was also appeared several times intermittently. In conclusion, Yeongnam Massif and Okcheon Belt experienced distinct tectonic environments during Triassic to Lower Jurassic, providing important clue to reveal the crustal evolution of the Korean Peninsula.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.49-63
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• 2017

The geochemical results of the Chunyang granites located in the northeastern part of the Yeongnam Massif, indicate that these rocks have characteristics of calc-alkaline series in the sub-alkaline field, I-type and peraluminous. Most of the geochemical features in major and trace elements show systematic trends, which are similar to differentiation trends of the general Jurassic granitoids in South Korea. The Chunyang granite is largely enriched in mobile LILE (Sr, K, Rb and Ba) relatively immobile HFSE. They show LREE enriched patterns [$(La/Lu)_{CN}=41.8-73.2$] with a slightly negative Eu anomaly [$(Eu/Eu^*)_{CN}=0.89-1.10$]. There are no meaningful correlations in major and trace elements between the Chunyang granites and the Buseok plutonic rock which is the main unit of the Yeongju batholith. This result may suggest that these two plutonic rocks be not derived from the same parent magma. Tectonic discrimination diagrams indicate that the Chunyang granite was formed in volcanic arc environments. These geochemical characteristics results suggest that the Chunyang granite must have been generated at the active continental margin during the subduction of the Jurassic proto-Pacific plate.