• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.248-254
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• 2007

Recently lots of the Early Cambrian fauna were described from the Yunnan Province of China. The fauna occurs from the Maotiangshan shale that dated between 525 and 520 ma, which is about 10-20 million years earlier than the Burgess Shale fauna of Canadian Rocky Mountain and Sirius Passet fauna in North Greenland. The Chengjiang fauna comprises an extremely diverse faunal assembly, and soft body parts of the fauna are well preserved. Such condition probably resulted from repeated rapid burial environment that prevented the bodies from destruction by currents, bioturbation, and biolchemical activities.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.427-448
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• 2019

This study reconstructed the paleoenvironments and paleogeography of the Taebaeksan Basin, through a review of the previous researches on sedimentology, paleontology and stratigraphy. This study also carried out a sequence stratigraphic analysis on regional tectonism and sea-level fluctuations on the basin during the Early Paleozoic. The basin broadly occur in the Taebaek, Yeongweol-Jecheon, Jeongseon-Pyeongchang, and Mungyeong areas, Gangwon province, South Korea. The basin-fills are composed mainly of mixed carbonates and siliciclastics, divided into the Taebaek, Yeongweol, Yongtan, Pyeongchang and Mungyeong groups according to lithologies and stratigraphic characteristics. Recently, there are a lot of studies on the provenance and depositional ages of the siliciclastic sequences of the basin. The detrital sediments of the basin would be derived from two separated provenances of the core-Gondwana and Sino-Korean cratons. In the Early Cambrian, the Taebaek and Jeongseon-Pyeongchang platforms have most likely received detrital sediments from the provenance of the Sino-Korean craton. On the other hand, the detrital sediments of the Yeongweol-Jecheon platform was probably sourced by those of the core-Gondwana craton. This separation of provenance can be interpreted as the result of the paleogeographic and paleotopographic separation of the Yeongweol-Jecheon platform from the Taebaek and Jeongseon-Pyeongchang platforms. The analyses on detrital zircons additionally reveal that the separation of provenance was ceased by the eustatic rise of sea-level during the Middle Cambrian, and the detrital sediments of the Taebaeksan Basin were entirely supplied from those of the core-Gondwana craton. During that period, sediment supply from the Sino-Korean craton would be restricted due to inundation of the provenance area of the craton. On the other hand, the Jeongseon-Pyeongchang platform sequences show the unconformable relationship between the Early Cambrian siliciclastic and the Early Ordovician carbonate strata. It is indicative of presence of regional uplift movements around the platform which would be to the extent offset of the effects of the Middle to Late Cambrian eustatic sealevel rise. These movements expanded and were reinforced across the basin in the latest Cambrian and earliest Ordovician. After the earliest Ordovician, the basin was tectonically stabilized, and the shallow marine carbonate environments were developed on the whole-platform by the Early Ordovician global eustatic sea-level rise, forming very thick carbonate strata in the basin. In the Late Ordovician, the Early Paleozoic sedimentation on the basin was terminated by the large-scale tectonic uplift across the Sino-Korean platform including the Taebaeksan Basin.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.565-578
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• 2012

Sedimentary facies of the Middle to Upper Cambrian Sesong Formation, Taebacksan Basin, are analyzed using detailed field mapping and stratigraphic section measuring. As a result, five sedimentary facies are recognized in the formation, which include lime nodule bearing shale facies, anastomosing wackestone-packstone facies, well-laminated siltstone facies, fine to medium sandstone facies and lime pebble conglomerate facies. Together with sedimentary facies analysis, study on vertical facies variation indicates that the Sesong Formation was deposited in an outer to inner shelf during relative sea-level fall. Especially, shallow marine aspects of the upper part of the Sesong Formation including 10-m-thick, fine to medium-grained sandstones appear to be very similar with the shallow marine strata accumulated during the Steptoean Stage (Dunderbergia) in Laurentia. These lithofacies comparisons of coeval strata between two continents suggest that sedimentation in the Sesong Formation reflects the influence of global sea-level fall occurred during the late Middle Cambrian to early Late Cambrian. As well, a stratigraphic discontinuity surface that may have sequence stratigraphic significance is recognized within the shallow marine sandstone beds of the uppermost Sesong Formation. This stratigraphic discontinuity surface may correspond to the Sauk II-III sequence boundary in Laurentia. Therefore, results delineated in this study will use a new stratigraphic paradigm for regional correlation of the Middle to Late Cambrian strata (e.g., the Sesong Formation) in the Taebacksan Basin, and will provide very useful information on intercontinental stratigraphic correlation in the future.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.317-333
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• 2012

The Yeongweol Group is a Lower Paleozoic mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sequence in the Taebaeksan Basin of Korea, and consists of five lithologic formations: Sambangsan, Machari, Wagok, Mungok, and Yeongheung in ascending order. Sequence stratigraphic interpretation of the group indicates that initial flooding in the Yeongweol area of the Taebaeksan Basin resulted in basal siliciclastic-dominated sequences of the Sambangsan Formation during the Middle Cambrian. The accelerated sea-level rise in the late Middle to early Late Cambrian generated a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic slope or deep ramp sequence of shale, grainstone and breccia intercalations, representing the lower part of the Machari Formation. The continued rise of sea level in the Late Cambrian made substantial accommodation space and activated subtidal carbonate factory, forming carbonate-dominated subtidal platform sequence in the middle and upper parts of the Machari Formation. The overlying Wagok Formation might originally be a ramp carbonate sequence of subtidal ribbon carbonates and marls with conglomerates, deposited during the normal rise of relative sea level in the late Late Cambrian. The formation was affected by unstable dolomitization shortly after the deposition during the relative sea-level fall in the latest Cambrian or earliest Ordovician. Subsequently, it was extensively dolomitized under the deep burial diagenetic condition. During the Early Ordovician (Tremadocian), global transgression (viz. Sauk) was continued, and subtidal ramp deposition was sustained in the Yeongweol platform, forming the Mungok Formation. The formation is overlain by the peritidal carbonates of the Yeongheung Formation, and is stacked by cyclic sedimentation during the Early to Middle Ordovician (Arenigian to Caradocian). The lithologic change from subtidal ramp to peritidal facies is preserved at the uppermost part of the Mungok Formation. The transition between Sauk and Tippecanoe sequences is recognized within the middle part of the Yeongheung Formation as a minimum accommodation zone. The global eustatic fall in the earliest Middle Ordovician and the ensuing rise of relative sea level during the Darrwillian to Caradocian produced broadly-prograding peritidal carbonates of shallowing-upward cyclic successions within the Yeongheung Formation. The reconstructed relative sea-level curve of the Yeongweol platform is very similar to that of the Taebaek platform. This reveals that the Yeongweol platform experienced same tectonic movements with the Taebaek platform, and consequently that both platform sequences might be located in a body or somewhere separately in the margin of the North China platform. The significant differences in lithologic and stratigraphic successions imply that the Yeongweol platform was much far from the Taebaek platform and not associated with the Taebaek platform as a single depositional system. The Yeongweol platform was probably located in relatively open shallow marine environments, whereas the Taebaek platform was a part of the restricted embayments. During the late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic amalgamations of the Korean massifs, the Yeongweol platform was probably pushed against the Taebaek platform by the complex movement, forming fragmented platform sequences of the Taebaeksan Basin.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.355-370
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• 1989

Igneous rocks of study area consist of Pre-Cambrian orthogneiss, Devonian granite, Triassic foliated granites and Jurassic granites distributed along the southeast margin of Ogcheon Geosynclinal belt(SE-zone), and irregular shaped granitic stocks in the central part of the belt(C-zone). Anorthosite and gaabbro are also present in southern part of the SE-zone in the belt and intruded into gneiss complex of Ryongnam massif. Distribuition of foliated granites shows three linear arrangements which are composed of hornblende-biotite foliated granodiorite, porphyritic foliated granodiorite, biotite foliated granodiorite, leuco foliated granite and two mica foliated granite. Foliated granites generated by dextral strike slip movement at deep level. Jurassic granites composed of several rock facies are considered to be formed by differentiation of magma during Daebo Orogeny. A general trend of the chemical composition of these igneous rocks in study area suggests that most of them corresponding to calc-alkaline rock series was affected under orogeny and I-type granite except for two mica foliated granite. In chondrite normalised REE pattern of these igneous rocks, LREE shows more variable range and strong (-)Eu anomaly than HREE. Geochronological episodes of igneous activity from early Proterozoic to Cretaceous in SE-zone of Ogcheon Geosynclinal belt are two more Pre-Cambrian Orogeny, Devonian Orogeny(Variscan), Songrim Disturbance, Daebo Orogeny and Bulkuksa Disturbance.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.831-846
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• 2023

The Jucheon-Pyeongchang area in the northwestern Taebaeksan Zone of the Okcheon fold-thrust belt preserved several thrust faults placing the Precambrian basement granite gneisses of the Gyeonggi Massif on top of the Early Paleozoic Joseon Supergroup and the age-unknown Bangrim Group. Especially, the thrust faults in the study area show the closed-loop patterns on the map view, showing older allochthonous strata surrounded by younger autochthonous or para-autochthonous strata. These basement-involved thrusts including Klippes will provide important information on the hinterland portion of the fold-thrust belt. For defining Klippe geometry in the thrust fault terrains of the Jucheon-Pyeongchang area by older on younger relationship, the stratigraphic position of the age-unknown Bangrim Group should be determined. The Middle Cambrian maximum depositional age by the detrital zircon SHRIMP U-Pb method from this study, together with field relations and previous research results suggest that the Bangrim Group overlies the Precambrian basement rocks by nonconformity and underlies the Cambrian Yangdeok Group (Jangsan and Myobong formations). The structural geometric interpretation of the Pyeongchang area based on newly defined stratigraphy indicates that the Wungyori and Barngrim thrusts are the same folded thrust, and can be interpreted as a Klippe, having Precambrian hanging wall granite gneisses surrounded by younger Cambrian strata of the Joseon Supergroup and the Bangrim Group. Further detailed structural studies on the Jucheon-Pyeongchang area can give crucial insights into the basement-involved deformation during the structural evolution of the Okcheon Belt.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.335-348
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• 1988

The author aimed to describe the volcano-stratigraphy and petrology of the volcanic mass in the Koheung peninsula, South Cheolla province. The volcanic mass is composed of the volcanics and intrusives of late Cretaceous which extruded the Pre-cambrian metamorphic(Jirisan gneiss complex) and the early Cretaceous sedimentary(Duwon Formation) basement. The volcanic pile consists of, in ascending order, Bibongsan andesite, Koheung tuff and breccia, and Palyeongsan welded tuff, and are intruded by ring intrusives( intrusive breccia, andesite porphyry, intrusive rhyolite and fine-grained quartz-diorite) and central pluton(diorite, quartz monzodiorite, biotite granite and micrographic granite). Bibongsan andesite mainly consists of andesite tuff and lava. Koheung tuff consists of alternation of fine tuff, coarse tuff and lapilli tuff, and Palyeongsan welded tuff which overlies Koheung tuff, comprises K-feldspar and quartz phenocrysts, elongated brown fiamme, lithic fragments in matrix of devitrified brown glass shards, and mainly consists of rhyodacite to rhyolite vitric ash-flow tuff. The results of petrochemical studies of the igneous rocks suggest that the rocks were a serial differentiational products of fractional crystallization of calc-alkaline magma series. This study reveals that the volcanic mass in this area is inferred to the remnant of the resurgent cauldron, measuring 30 by 25 km in diameter. The cauldron block was lowered at least 1,000 m by ring fault displacement.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 1995

Tungsten skarn mineralization of the Sangdong mine is localized in the interbedded limestone layers of the Myobong Slate Formation and in the limestone of the Pungchon Limestone Formation of Cambrian age. Fluid inclusion, gas composition and Nd-Sr isotope for granites and skarns have been investigated. Gas compositions show $CO_2$ rich in the Sangdong granite and CH, rich in the Nonggeori and Eopyeong granites. The initial $^{87}Sr/^{86}Sr$ and $^{143}Nd/^{144}Nd$ ratios of the Sangdong granites have 0.714~0.716(${\varepsilon}_{Sr}$=138~162) and 0.51173~0.51178(${\varepsilon}_{Nd}$=-14.4~15.5), respectively. And their two stage model ages range from 1687 to 1764 Ma. The granite characterized by high strontium initial ratios and negative eNd value could have originated from the old continental crust source. Low homogenization temperature of the Sangdong granite having $203{\sim}296^{\circ}C$ with 1.9~9.2 NaCl equiv. wt% indicates the post-magmatic hydrothermal alteration temperature. Skarn ore fluid responsible for tungsten mineralization has been evolved from CH, rich fluid of early pyroxene garnet skarn to $CO_2$ rich later quartz-mica skarn.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.79-93
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• 1979

Twenty five samples of the scheelite-powellite series from twelve Korean tungsten deposits of various geologic settings were studied mineralogically and geochemically. Variations in the trace-element contents of the scheelite minerals are considered in relation to geologic settings and mineralogic properties. Scheelites from ore deposits developed in similar geologic settings and under similar physicochemical conditions are characterized by specific combinations of trace elements.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.411-419
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• 1996

The Janggun magnetite deposits occur as the lens-shaped magnesian skarn, magnetite and base-metal sulfide orebodies developed in the Cambrian Janggun Limestone Formation. The K-Ar age of alteration sericite indicates that the mineralization took place during late Cretaceous age (107 to 70 Ma). The ore deposition is divided into two stages as a early skarn and late hydrothermal stage. Mineralogy of skara stage (107 Ma) consists of iron oxide, base-metal sulfides, Mg-Fe carbonates and some Mg- and Ca-skarn minerals, and those of the hydrothermal stage (70 Ma) is deposited base-metal sulfides, some Sb- and Sn-sulfosalts, and native bismuth. Based on mineral assemblages, chemical compositions and thermodynamic considerations, the formation temperature, $-logfs_2$, $-logfo_2$ and pH of ore fluids progressively decreased and/or increased with time from skarn stage (433 to $345^{\circ}C$, 8.8 to 9.9 atm, 29.4 to 31.6 atm, and 6.1 to 7.2) to hydrothermal stage (245 to $315^{\circ}C$, 11.2 to 12.3 atm, 33.6 to 35.4 atm, and 7.3 to 7.8). The ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of sulfides have a wide range between 3.2 to 11.6‰. The calculated ${\delta}^{34}S_{H_2S}$ values of ore fluids are relatively homo-geneous as 2.9 to 5.4‰ (skam stage) and 8.7 to 13.5‰ (hydrothermal stage), which are a deep-seated igneous source of sulfur indicates progressive increasing due to the mixing of oxidized sedimentary sulfur with increasing paragenetic time. The ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of carbonates in ores range from -4.6 to -2.5‰. Oxygen and hydrogen isotope data revealed that the ${\delta}^{38}O_{H_2O}$ and ${\delta}D$ values of ore fluids decreased gradually with time from 14.7 to 1.8‰ and -85 to -73‰ (skarn stage), and from 11.1 to -0.2‰ and -87 to -80‰ (hydrothermal stage), respectively. This indicates that magmatic water was dominant during the early skarn mineralization but was progressively replaced by meteoric water during the later hydrothermal replacement.