• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.7-14
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• 2003

The precious-meta] mineralization of epithermal type in the Korean Peninsula, which is spread over a broader range of ca. 110 to 60 Ma with a major population between 90 and 70 Ma, mainly occurred along the NE-trending major strike-slip fault systems (i.e., the Gongju and Gwangju ones) that commonly include volcano-tectonic depressions and calderas. The occurrence of epithermal mineralization during Late Cretaceous clearly indicates that the geologic setting of the Korean Peninsula changed to the favorable depth of ore formation with very shallow-crustal environments (〈1.0 kb) accompanied with gold-silver (-base-meta]) mineralization. Epithermal gold-silver deposits in Korea are primarily distinguished as sediment-dominant and volcanic-dominant basins by using criteria of varying alteration, ore and gangue mineralogy deposited by the interaction of different ore-forming fluids with host rocks and meteoric waters. These differences between the central and southern portions are causally linked to the tectonic evolution of the Peninsula during the Cretaceous time. In the Early Cretaceous, the sinistral strike-slip movements due to the oblique subduction of the Izanagi Plate resulted in the Gongju and Gwangju fault systems in the central portion of the Korean Peninsula, which was accompanied with a number of sediment-dominant basins formed along these faults. During the Late Cretaceous, the mode of convergence of the Izanagi Plate changed to northwesteward so that orthogonal convergence occurred with a calc-alkaline volcanism. As results, volcanic-dominant basins were developed in the southern portion of the Peninsula, accompanied with volcano-tectonic depressions and caldera-related fractures. The magmatism and related fractures during Late Cretaceous may play an important role in the formation of geothermal systems. Thus, such fault zones may be favorable environments for veining emplacement that is closely related to the precious-metal mineralization of epithermal type in the Korean Peninsula.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.229-237
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• 2000

The structure of Euiseong Sub-basin and boundary of sub-basins were examined by analytical aeromagentci anomaly data. Magnetic lineaments have trends of NE-SW, NWW-SEE and NEE-SWW. The NE-SW lineaments in the sedimentary formations and pre-Cretaceous basement are assoicated with the direction of expansion of basin and the lineaments in the volcanic rocks and intrusives indicate the direction of structural weakness ones such as fault, which were major gateways of igneous activities. Euiseong Subbasin is bounded by pre-existing Andong Fault, pre-Cretaceous basement in the west, NE-SW lineament from Jyungsan to Angang, and NW-SE lineament connecting southwestern boundary of Palgongsan Granite and Jeokje Fault. In particular , the NW-SE lineament , which caused upheavel of pre-Cretaceous rocks, on Jeokje Fault is inferred as a boundary between Euiseong and Milyang Sub-basins.

• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.27-31
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• 2003

During the past decade, integrated stratigraphy has been effectively applied to many sedimentary basins to analyze stratigraphic response to tectonic evolution. This application has been beneficial to hydrocarbon exploration in the basins because it provides a better understanding of temporal and spatial relationships of hydrocarbon source and reservoir rocks as a function of basin evolution. Like the maturation, migration, and trapping of hydrocarbons, ore-forming processes in hydrothermal deposits may be causally linked to particular phases of basin evolution. Consequently, applying integrated stratigraphy to mineral exploration may be a logical and helpful approach to understanding ore-forming processes and predicting their occurrence, location, and origin. (omitted)

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.189-201
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• 1999

Paleomagnetic and rock magnetic investigations have been carried out for the Cretaceous Hanyang Group, exposed in the Yongyang Sub-Basins within the Kyeongsang Basin, eastern South Korea. A total of 452 oriented core samples was drilled from 31 sits for the study. The in-situ site mean direction is more dispersed than the mean direction after bedding correction, indicating that the fold test is positive at 95% confidence level. In addition, the stepwise unfolding of the characteristic remanent magfold test is positive at 95% confidence level. In addition, the stepwise unfolding of the characteristic remanent magnetization reveals that a maximum value of k is observed at 90% unfolding. Furthermore, the rock magnetic investigations and electron microscope observations of the representative samples show that the main magnetic carrier of the Hayang Group is the detrital specular hematite of single and pseudo-single domain sizes with negligible contribution of pigmentary hematite grains. These results collectively imply that the ChRM direction is the primary component acquired at the time of the formation of the strata. Provided the primary nature of the ChRM, a magnetostratigraphic correlation between polarities of the studied formation and the Geomagnetic Time Scale indicates that the Hayang Group in the Yongyang Sub-Basin can be correlated to the Cretaceous Long Normal superchron. The paleomagnetic pole position from this study is significantly different from those of the Hayang group in the Euiseong the Milyang sub-Basins. Rather the paleomagnetic pole position of the Hayang Group of the study area is closer to that of the Quaternary period or present time of the Korean Peninsula. It is hypothesized that the study area might be rotated about 25$^{\circ}$ aticlockwise with respect to the Euiseong and Milyang Sub-Basins after the formation of the strata and aquisition of the ChRM, although there is not enough geologic evidence supporting the rotation hypothesis.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 1999

A new sedimentary basin is reported from the marine multi-channel seismic data which were acquired for the hydrocarbon exploration on the southwestern Korean continental shelf in 1970. Along the southeastern part of Line 1192, the about 60-km-long basin with the thickness of 0.55~1.1 s is observed on the near-trace gather. However, both new and previous 24-fold stack sections fail to show the basin image probably due to its rugged top beneath the shallow water. The boundary contact between the basement with the velocity of about 5200m/s and the basin filling with the velocities of 4300~4700 m/s is unclear. These velocites are calculated from the corresponding shot gathers. Compared with the Haenam Basin, a neighbouring onshore Cretaceous sedimentary basin, we interpret that the new basin includes the volcanics and volcaniclastic sequences deposited in the lacustrine environment. This nonmarine basin was possibly formed as the result of the tectonic movement during the Cretaceous, implying the wide occurrence of the Cretaceous basins over the southern Korean Peninsula as well as its southwestern continental shelf.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.2 s.177
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• pp.129-149
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• 2006

Previously published stratigraphic, sedimentologic, paleontologic, paleomagnetic and geophysical data are reviewed to make an understanding on the tectonic evolution of the Cretaceous Gyeongsang (Kyongsang) basin, southeast Korea. A stratigraphic framework and a tectonic model on the formation and deformation of the Gyeongsang Basin are newly proposed on the basis of integration these data with magmatism and mineralization ages in the basin. A newly proposed stratigraphic framework indicates that strata in the basin can be subdivided into five distinct stratigraphic units that represent pre-rifting, syn-rifting, inversion I, II, and III stages. The Gyeongsang Basin was formed initially as a pre-rifting stage due to north-south extension in the Late Jurassic prior to a syn-riftins stage that resulted from east-west extension during the Early Cretaceous. In the Late Cretaceous, the basin was deformed by three-staged sequential deformation of north-south, northwest-southeast, and east-west compressions. The tectonic history of the basin has been largely controlled by the change of motion of the Izanagi Plate from north to northwest during the Cretaceous. In the early Cretaceous, the Izanagi Plate began to subduct northward beneath the Eurasian Plate and caused the left-lateral strike-slip fault systems in the southern part of the peninsula. The left-lateral wrenching of these fault systems was causally linked to development of pull-apart basins, such as the Gyeongsang Basin in the southeastern part of the peninsula. However, northwestward movement of the Izanagi Plate during the Late Cretaceous probably led to the extensive volcanism as well as sequential deformations in the basin. The stratigraphic and tectonic model, which is newly proposed as a result of this study, may be expected to enhancing the efficiency for exploration and exploitation of useful mineral resources in the basin as well as establishing geologic history in the Cretaceous Gyeongsang Basin. Together with the spatial and temporal correlation of the Cretaceous basins in adjacent areas, this stratigraphic and tectonic model provides a new geologic paradigm to delineate the sophisticated tectonic history of East Asia turing the Cretaceous.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1971

The "Younger Granites" in Korea were being believed to be late Cretaceous in age and named "Bulkuksa granites" by all previous works until the writer had discovered Jurassic granite in 1963. The present paper is to prove its validity by age dating on these granites which was carried out by Professor Y. Ueda, Tohoku University, Japan. The age of 37 granites samples from various localities ranges from 68 my to 181 my. Of these 10 samples belonged to early Jurassic, 6 samples to mid-Jurassic, 4 samples to late Jurassic, 5 samples to early Cretaceous, and 12 samples to late Cretaceous in age. It is of the writer's opinion that the granites intruded in from early Jurassic to early Cretaceous age belong to Daebo granites and are syntectonic plutons associated with Daebo orogeny, and only those of late Cretaceous age belong to Bulkuksa granites that were associated with Bulkuksa disturbance. Daebo granites are aligned along NE-SW Sinian direction in the middle parts of Korea and crop out in the cores of folded mountains which were formed by Daebo Orogeny, such as Charyong, Noryong, Sobaek, and Dukyu Ranges. On the contrary Bulkuksa granites are restricted in Kyongsang basin and adjacent few localities in distribution and show no alignment. Granites supposedly associated with other disturbances of post-precambrian Have not been found so far in S. Korea. Age dating of granites has revealed that Daebo orogeny might be continuous from Songrim distur bance of late Triassic age. From this viewpoint, it could be assumed that Daedong system of Jurassic age were deposited in separate intermontain basins while Daebo orogeny was active, so that Daedong system in separate localities in Korea could not been correlated in their lithology as well as stratig raphy.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.2 s.183
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• pp.191-207
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• 2007

A paleomagnetic investigation for the Cretaceous rocks in the Buyeo and Hampyeong Basins, located out of the Gyeongsang Basin, was carried out in order to elucidate the paleomagnetic directions in conjunction with the formation of the basins. Typical stepwise thermal demagnetization and measurement methods were used to determine the directions of characteristic remanent magnetizations (ChRMs). The mean direction of the sedimentary rocks from the Buyeo Basin after bedding correction $(D/I=356.5^{\circ}/61.5^{\circ},\;k=39.3\;\alpha_{95}=7.4^{\circ})$, is more dispersed than that before bedding correction $(D/I=356.5^{\circ}/61.5^{\circ},\;k=39.3\;\alpha_{95}=7.4^{\circ})$, which suggests that the rocks in the Buyeo Basin were remagnetized. However, the statistics and dispersion of the ChRM directions after bedding correction are still acceptable and the paleomagnetic pole position after tilt correction $(Lat./Long.=69.3^{\circ}N/186.7^{\circ}E,\;K=11.6\;A_{95}=14.0^{\circ})$ is closer to that of the Late Cretaceous pole of the Korean Peninsula. More detailed study is needed to confirm the nature of the remagnetization in the Buyeo Basin. On the other hand, the paleomagnetic pole before bedding correction $(Lat./Long.=81.6^{\circ}N/106.9^{\circ}E,\;K=25.1\;A_{95}=9.3^{\circ})$ is positioned near the paleogene pole of the Eurasian APWP. The mean ChRM direction of the sedimentary rocks from the Hampyeong Basin after bedding correction is $D/I=32.5^{\circ}/55.4^{\circ},\;(k=35.6,\;\alpha_{95}=8.7^{\circ})$. It is more clustered than that before bedding correction $D/I=18.3^{\circ}/62.5^{\circ},\;k=14.1,\;\alpha_{95}=14.2^{\circ})$, indicating that the ChRM was acquired before tilting of the strata. The paleomagnetic pole position of the Cretaceous sedimentary rocks in the Hampyeong Basin, averaged out of site pole positions calculated from the tilt-corrected ChRMs, is $Lat./Long.=63.9^{\circ}N/202.7^{\circ}E,\;(K=21.3,\;A_{95}=7.6^{\circ})$, similar to the Late Cretaceous paleomagnetic pole of the Korean Peninsula $(Lat./Long.=70.9^{\circ}N/215.4^{\circ}E,\;A_{95}=5.3^{\circ})$, suggesting that the Hampyeong Basin has been stable since the Late Cretaceous period. One normal and two reversed ChRM directions are revealed through the measurements of the volcanic rocks from the Hampyeong Basin. Although these normal and reversed directions are not exactly antipodal, it is interpreted that the normal direction is the representative primary direction of the volcanic rocks of the Hampyeong Basin and the mixed polarity is the records of geomagnetic field at the time of the formation of the volcanic rocks. Paleomagnetic poles are at $Lat./Long.=70.2^{\circ}N/199.5^{\circ}E,\;(K=18.1,\;A_{95}=9.6^{\circ})$ for the normal direction, and $Lat./Long.=65.5^{\circ}S/251.3^{\circ}E,\;(K=7.1,\;A_{95}=20.7^{\circ})$ for the reversed direction. Compared with the representative pole positions of the Cretaceous period of the Korean Peninsula, it is concluded that the age of the volcanic rocks in the Hampyeong Basin is of the Late Cretaceous.

• 한국석유지질학회:학술대회논문집
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• autumn
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• pp.57-72
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• 2000

The Murzuk Basin covers an area in excess of $350,000{\cal}km^2$, and is one of several intra-cratonic sag basins located on the Saharan Platform of North Africa. Compared with some of these basins, the Murzuk Basin has a relatively simple structure and stratigraphy, probably as a result of it's location on a the East Saharan Craton. The basin contains a sedimentary fill which reaches a thickness of about $4,000{\cal}m$ in the basin centre. This fill can be divided into a predominantly marine Paleozoic section, and a continental Mesozoic section. The principal hydrocarbon play consists of a glacial-marine sandstone reservoir of Cambro-Ordovician age, sourced and sealed by overlying Silurian shales. The present day borders of the basin are defined by tectonic uplifts, each of multi-phase generation, and the present day basin geometry bears little relation to the more extensive Early Palaeozoic sedimentary basin within which the reservoir and source rocks were deposited. The key to the understanding of the Cambro-Ordovician play is the relative timing of oil generation compared to the Cretaceous and Tertiary inversion tectonics which influenced source burial depth, reactivated faults and reorganised migration pathways. At the present day only a limited area of the basin centre remains within the oil generating window. Modelling of the timing and distribution of source rock maturity uses input data from AFTA and fluid inclusion studies to define palaeo temperatures, shale velocity work to estimate maximum burial depth and source rock geochemistry to define kinetics and pseudo-Ro. Migration pathways are investigated through structural analysis. The majority of the discovered fields and identified exploration prospects in the Murzuk Basin involve traps associated with high angle reverse faults. Extensional faulting occurred in the Cambro-Ordovician and this was followed by repeated compressional movements during Late Silurian, Late Carboniferous, Mid Cretaceous and Tertiary, each associated with regional uplift and erosion.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.8 no.1_2 s.9
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• pp.1-43
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• 2000

A comparison study for understanding a stratigraphic response to tectonic evolution of sedimentary basins in the Yellow Sea and adjacent areas was carried out by using an integrated stratigraphic technology. As an interim result, we propose a stratigraphic framework that allows temporal and spatial correlation of the sedimentary successions in the basins. This stratigraphic framework will use as a new stratigraphic paradigm for hydrocarbon exploration in the Yellow Sea and adjacent areas. Integrated stratigraphic analysis in conjunction with sequence-keyed biostratigraphy allows us to define nine stratigraphic units in the basins: Cambro-Ordovician, Carboniferous-Triassic, early to middle Jurassic, late Jurassic-early Cretaceous, late Cretaceous, Paleocene-Eocene, Oligocene, early Miocene, and middle Miocene-Pliocene. They are tectono-stratigraphic units that provide time-sliced information on basin-forming tectonics, sedimentation, and basin-modifying tectonics of sedimentary basins in the Yellow Sea and adjacent area. In the Paleozoic, the South Yellow Sea basin was initiated as a marginal sag basin in the northern margin of the South China Block. Siliciclastic and carbonate sediments were deposited in the basin, showing cyclic fashions due to relative sea-level fluctuations. During the Devonian, however, the basin was once uplifted and deformed due to the Caledonian Orogeny, which resulted in an unconformity between the Cambro-Ordovician and the Carboniferous-Triassic units. The second orogenic event, Indosinian Orogeny, occurred in the late Permian-late Triassic, when the North China block began to collide with the South China block. Collision of the North and South China blocks produced the Qinling-Dabie-Sulu-Imjin foldbelts and led to the uplift and deformation of the Paleozoic strata. Subsequent rapid subsidence of the foreland parallel to the foldbelts formed the Bohai and the West Korean Bay basins where infilled with the early to middle Jurassic molasse sediments. Also Piggyback basins locally developed along the thrust. The later intensive Yanshanian (first) Orogeny modified these foreland and Piggyback basins in the late Jurassic. The South Yellow Sea basin, however, was likely to be a continental interior sag basin during the early to middle Jurassic. The early to middle Jurassic unit in the South Yellow Sea basin is characterized by fluvial to lacustrine sandstone and shale with a thick basal quartz conglomerate that contains well-sorted and well-rounded gravels. Meanwhile, the Tan-Lu fault system underwent a sinistrai strike-slip wrench movement in the late Triassic and continued into the Jurassic and Cretaceous until the early Tertiary. In the late Jurassic, development of second- or third-order wrench faults along the Tan-Lu fault system probably initiated a series of small-scale strike-slip extensional basins. Continued sinistral movement of the Tan-Lu fault until the late Eocene caused a megashear in the South Yellow Sea basin, forming a large-scale pull-apart basin. However, the Bohai basin was uplifted and severely modified during this period. h pronounced Yanshanian Orogeny (second and third) was marked by the unconformity between the early Cretaceous and late Eocene in the Bohai basin. In the late Eocene, the Indian Plate began to collide with the Eurasian Plate, forming a megasuture zone. This orogenic event, namely the Himalayan Orogeny, was probably responsible for the change of motion of the Tan-Lu fault system from left-lateral to right-lateral. The right-lateral strike-slip movement of the Tan-Lu fault caused the tectonic inversion of the South Yellow Sea basin and the pull-apart opening of the Bohai basin. Thus, the Oligocene was the main period of sedimentation in the Bohai basin as well as severe tectonic modification of the South Yellow Sea basin. After the Oligocene, the Yellow Sea and Bohai basins have maintained thermal subsidence up to the present with short periods of marine transgressions extending into the land part of the present basins.