• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 1991

This study presents results of thermal stress calculations around the uplifted province within the continental lithosphere. A set of thermal stresses for the uplifted provinces are calculated using by assumption of two dimensions along the extension of the strike. The calculations utilize thermoelastic displacement potential function. Thermal stress distribution-faulting conditions inferred from this study are consistent with the suggested surface heat flow and place an important constraint on the thermal state of the uplifted provinces within the continental lithosphere.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.286-294
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• 2016

Using a method suggested by Yanovskaya, we obtained Rayleigh wave group velocities with a resolution of $1.0^{\circ}{\times}1.0^{\circ}$ in a period range between 10 and 80 s in and around the Korean peninsula. Both regional and distant earthquake data sets were used together in analysis of group velocities. The resolution of the group velocity maps has been remarkably enhanced by the method, especially in the sparse/non-station region in the northern Korean peninsula. Some qualitative geophysical information was inferred from the group velocity maps. In the East Sea, the slow group velocities at periods longer than 40 s suggest the existence of an oceanic lithosphere at depths of 50-70 km, assuming 4 km/s of S wave velocity at a period of 40 s. On the other hand, a thick lithosphere can be inferred in the continental area from the fast group velocities at periods longer than 50 s. For most periods, the group velocities change rapidly over a short distance of about 200 km across the eastern coast of Korean peninsula, which may suggest a rapid change in the thickness of lithosphere in this area.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.293-303
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• 2002

Applying elastic plate model, we estimated elastic thickness and rigidity of the lithosphere in southern part of the Korean Peninsula($332km{\times}332km$ area of which center is $36.5^{\circ}N$ in latitude and $127.5^{\circ}E$ in longitude) by analysing terrain data and gravity data measured up to 2002. We tried to exclude the East Sea in choosing the study area because it has different tectonic environment. The mean Moho depth was estimated to be 30 km by power spectrum analysis of gravity data in the study area, Assuming one layer crust and applying elastic plate model, the loads with wavelengths of greater than 300 km are locally compensated, loads with wavelengths in the range 80-300km are partially supported by the strength of the lithosphere, and loads with wavelengths of less than 80km are almost completely supported by lithospheric strength. Assuming crustal model and rigidity, we calculated predicted coherence and compared it with observed coherence. As a result, we wert able to estimate the effective elastic thickness to be of 15 km(corresponding flexural rigidity is $3.0{\times}10^{22}Nm$). This indicates that the crust of the study area is relatively weaker than other old and stable continental regions but is similar to continental margins or oceanic area. The low rigidity could be explained by many tectonic and thermal activities such as orogenic activities, magmatic intrusions, volcanic activities, foldings, faultings, etc.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2006

The Korea Plateau is a continental fragment rifted and partially segmented from the Korean Peninsulaat the initial stage of the opening of the East Sea (Japan Sea). We interpreted marine seismic profiles from the South Korea Plateau in conjunction with swath bathymetric to investigate processes of con-tjnental rifting and separation of the southwestern Japan Arc. The SouU-i Korea Plateau preserves funda-mental elements of rift architecture comprising a seaward succession of a rift basin and an uplifted rift flank passing into the slope, typical of a passive continental margin. Two distinguished rift basins (Onnuri and Bandal Basins) in the South Korea Plateau are bounded by major synthetic and smaller antithetic faults, creating wide and symmetric profiles. The large-offset border fault zones of these basins have convex dip slopes and demonstrate a zig-zag arrangement along strike. Rifting was primarily controlled by normal faulting resulting from extension orthogonal to the inferred line of breakup along the base ofthe slope rather U-ian strike-slip deformation. Two extension direcdons for rifdng are recog-nized; U-ie Onnuri Basin was rifted in U-ie EW direction; U-ie Bandal Basin in U-ie EW and NW-SE directions, suggesting two rift stages. We interpret that the E-W direction represents initial rifting at the inner margin; while the Japan Basin widened, rifting propagated repeatedly from the Japan Basin to the southeast toward the Korean margin but could not penetrate the strong continental lithosphere of the Korean Shield and changed direction to the south, resulting in E-W extension to create the rift basins at the Korean margin. The Hupo Basin to the south of the Korea Plateau is estimated to have formed in this process. The NW-SE direction probably represents the direction of rifting orthogonal to the inferred line of breakup along the base of the slope of the South Korea Plateau; after breakup the southwestern Japan Arc separated in the SE direction, indicating a response to tensional tectonics associated with the subduction of the Pacific Plate in the NE direction. We suggest that structural evolution of the eastern Korean margin can be explained by the processes occurring at the passive continental margin.

• 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.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.153-163
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• 2012

The Earth's surface deforms vertically in response to a variety of sources relating to lithospheric and sub-lithospheric processes, and distinguishing the continental mechanisms for vertical motions of the lithosphere remains a fundamental challenge in geosciences. A key prerequisite to the challenge is documentation of the temporal and spatial pattern of vertical motions in different tectonic settings. This study is aimed at elucidating the geodynamic factors that can contribute to vertical motions of the Earth's surface in intraplate continental settings including the Neogene uplift in the Korean peninsula based on numerous recent achievements in relevant fields. Ultimately, deciphering the interplay between the Earth's surface and the Earth's interior processes leads us to the notion of "the importance of geomorphic landscape" as a prism to view the dynamics of the Earth's inside.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.144-149
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• 2012

Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) has successfully installed two autonomous very broadband three-component seismic stations at the King George Island (KGI), Antarctica, during the 24th KOPRI Antarctic Summer Expedition (2010 ~ 2011). The seismic observation system is originally designed by the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology Program for Array Seismic Studies of the Continental Lithosphere Instrument Center, which is fully compatible with the Polar Earth Observing Network seismic system. The installation is to achieve the following major goals: 1. Monitoring local earthquakes and icequakes in and around the KGI, 2. Validating the robustness of seismic system operation under harsh environment. For further intensive studies, we plan to move and install them adding a couple more stations at ice shelf system, e.g., Larsen Ice Shelf System, Antarctica, in 2013 to figure out ice dynamics and physical interaction between lithosphere and cryosphere. In this article, we evaluate seismic station performance and characteristics by examining ambient noise, and provide operational system information such as frequency response and State-Of-Health information.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.447-463
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• 1991

Petrological and chemical studies of Precambrian dikes in the southern Lake Superior region were conducted with the objects of evaluating magma source and constraining models for the paleo-tectonic environment. Forty-six samples were analyzed for major, trace, and rare earth elements. Chemical data of the studied dikes are typical of continental tholeiites and showing iron-enrichment fractionation trend. With wallrock contamination carefully evaluated, a series of tectonic discriminating methods utilizing immobile trace elements indicate that the source magma was a high-Ti tholeiitic basalt similar to present-day T-type MORB. Effect of chemical contamination from wallrock assimilation accmulates with increasing differentiation. Evolved rocks show LREE enriched patterns and have enhanced levels of LIL elements (e.g., Rb, K, Ba, Th), but low levels of high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, P, Ti) with respect to their neighboring elements. It is suggested from this study that this enrichment possibly due to a combination of a feature inherited from the subcontinental lithosphere and crustal contamination. Geochemical signatures of these rocks are distinctively different from those of arc-related volcanics. Comparisons with chemistries of modern magmas show a pattern of overlap between Within-plate and ocean-floor characteristics, and chemical signatures of these rocks favor a model of intrusion into a crustal environment undergoing lithospheric attenuation.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.13-43
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• 2017

In the Hapcheon area, hypersthene-bearing monzonite (mangerite) and syenite are recognized. The main minerals of syenite are alkali feldspar, plagioclase, amphibole, biotite, and quartz. Anhedral hornblende and biotite are interstitial between feldspar and quartz, indicating that the hydrous minerals were crystallized later on. Based on petrochemical studies of major elements, syenite is alkaline series, metaluminous, and I-type. The variation patterns in the trace and rare earth elements of mangerite and syenite show the features of subduction-related igneous rock such as depletion of HFSE, relative enrichment in LILE to LREE, and negative Nb-P-Ti anomalies. Based on the experimental data and petrographic characteristics of the syenite, Hapcheon syenitic magma is considered to be formed by partial melting in a dry system. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon data yield the Triassic age as $227.4{\pm}1.4Ma$ in mangerite, $215.3{\pm}1.2Ma$ in syenite, and $217.9{\pm}2.6Ma$ in coarse-grained syenite, respectively. The mangerite age is similar to those of post-collisional plutonic rocks in Hongseong (226~233 Ma), Yangpyeong (227~231 Ma), and Odaesan (231~234 Ma) areas in the Gyeonggi Massif. Syenites were intruded after about 10 Ma. The features seen in the mangereite and syenite rocks can be explained by models such as the continental collision and slab break-off and the lithosphere thinning and asthenosphere upwelling model.

• Geosciences Journal
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2019

We present data from the Mesozoic Keumkang, Palbong, and Baekhwa granites in Garorim Bay, in the southwestern part of the Gyeonggi massif, South Korea. Using major and trace element concentrations, Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions, and sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) zircon U-Pb ages, we aim to constrain the petrogenesis of the granites and explain their origin within a broader regional geological context. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages of $232.8{\pm}3.2$, $175.9{\pm}1.2$, and $176.8{\pm}9.8$ Ma were obtained from the Keumkang, Palbong and Baekhwa granites, respectively. The Late Triassic Keumkang granites belong to the shoshonite series and show an overall enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILE), a depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE) relative to primitive mantle, compared with neighboring elements in the primitive mantle-normalized incompatible trace element diagram with notable high Ba and Sr contents, and negligible Eu anomalies. The Keumkang granites are typified by highly radiogenic Sr and unradiogenic Nd and Pb isotopic compositions: $(^{87}Sr/^{86}Sr)_i=0.70931-0.70959$, $(^{143}Nd/^{144}Nd)_i=0.511472-0.511484$ [$({\varepsilon}_{Nd})_i=-17.0$ to -16.7], and $(^{206}Pb/^{204}Pb)=17.26-17.27$. The Middle Jurassic Palbong and Baekhwa granites belong to the medium- to high-K calc-alkaline series, and show LILE enrichment and HFSE depletion similar to the Keumkang granites, but exhibit significant negative anomalies in Ba, Sr, and Eu. Furthermore, they have elevated Y and Yb contents at any given $SiO_2$ content compared with other Jurassic granitoids from the Gyeonggi massif. The Palbong and Baekhwa granites have slightly less radiogenic Sr and more radiogenic Nd and Pb isotopic compositions [$(^{87}Sr/^{86}Sr)_i=0.70396-0.70908$, $(^{143}Nd/^{144}Nd)_i=0.511622-0.511660$, $({\varepsilon}_{Nd})_i=-15.4$ to -14.7, $(^{206}Pb/^{204}Pb)=17.56-17.76$] relative to the Keumkang granites. The Keumkang granites are considered to have formed in a post-collisional environment following the Permo-Triassic Songrim orogeny that records continent-continent collision between the North and South China blocks, and may have formed by fractional crystallization of metasomatized lithospheric mantle-derived mafic melts. The Palbong and Baekhwa granites may have been produced from a gabbroic assemblage at pressures of less than ~15 kbar, associated with subduction of the paleo-Pacific (Izanagi) plate at the Eurasian continental margin. Elevated ${\varepsilon}_{Nd}(t)$ values in the granitoids from the southwestern part of the Gyeonggi massif relative to those of the central and northern parts, together with the comparatively shallow depth of origin, imply the presence of an exotic block in the Korean lithosphere.