• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.295-307
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• 2022

We studied the Cretaceous Jeonggaksan Formation to determine depositional processes of pyroclastic density currents entering into the lacustrine environments. This formation is composed largely of sandstone-mudstone couplets and (tuffaceous) normally graded sandstones deposited in lacustrine environments, interbedded with two pyroclastic beds: welded massive lapilli tuff and normally graded lapilli tuff. The welded massive lapilli tuff (10 m thick) is composed of poorly sorted, structureless lapilli supported by a welded ash matrix. The normally graded lapilli tuff (4 m thick) is characterized by moderately to well sorted natures and multiple normally graded divisions in the lower part of the bed with internal boundaries. The contrasting depositional features between these lapilli tuff are suggestive of different physical characteristics and depositional processes of pyroclastic density currents in the lake. Overall poorly sorted and massive natures of the thick, welded massive lapilli tuff are interpreted to have been formed by rapid settling of pyroclastic sediments from highly concentrated and sustained pyroclastic density currents. In this case, the pyroclastic density currents were able to displace lake water from shoreline and the pyrolclastic density currents preserved their own heat except for frontal parts of the currents. As a result, welded textures can be formed despite entrance of pyroclastic density currents into the lake. The internal boundaries of the normally graded lapilli tuff reflect unsteady natures of the pyroclastic density currents at the time of the deposition and the pyroclastic density currents can not provide sufficient pressure to displace lake water. As a consequence, the pyroclastic density currents transformed into water-saturated turbidity currents, forming relatively well sorted, normally graded lapilli tuff.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.2773-2784
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• 2023

It is essential to evaluate the blasting-enhanced permeability (BEP) feasibility of a low-permeability sandstone-type uranium deposit. In this work, the mineral composition, reservoir physical properties and rock mechanical properties of samples from sandstone-type uranium deposits were first measured. Then, the reformability evaluation method was established by the analytic hierarchy process-entropy weight method (AHP-EWM) and the fuzzy mathematics method. Finally, evaluation results were verified by the split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) experiment and permeability test. Results show that medium sandstone, argillaceous sandstone and siltstone exhibit excellent reformability, followed by coarse sandstone and fine sandstone, while the reformability of sandy mudstone is poor and is not able to accept BEP reservoir stimulation. The permeability improvement and the distribution of damage fractures before and after the SHPB experiment confirm the correctness of evaluation results. This research provides a reformability evaluation method for the BEP of the low-permeability sandstone-type uranium deposit, which contributes to the selection of the appropriate regional and stratigraphic horizon of the BEP and the enhanced ISL of the low-permeability sandstone-type uranium deposit.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.145-155
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• 2005

A two-dimensional (2-D) interpretation of MT data has been performed for the purpose of fracture detection for geothermal development. Remote stations have been operated in Kyushu, Japan (480 km apart) as well as in Korea (60 km and 165 km apart in 2002 and 2003 data set, respectively). Apparent resistivity and phase curves calculated by remote processing with the Japan remote data showed enough quality for 2-D inversion for the whole frequency range. Remote reference processing with Korea remote reference data also showed quite good continuity in apparent resistivity and phase curves except some noisy frequency bands; around the power frequency, 60 Hz, and around the dead band $10^{-1}Hz\;Hz\;\~1\;Hz$, where the natural EM signal is known to be very weak. Even though the subsurface showed severe three-dimensional (3-D) characteristics in the survey area so that 2-D inversion by itself could not give enough information for deep geological structures, the 2-D inversion for the 5 survey lines showed several common features. The conductive semi-consolidate mudstone layer is dipping from north to south (about 500 m depth on the south and 200 m on the north most part of the survey area). The boundary between the low (L-2) and high (H-2) resistivity anomalies can be thought as a major fault with strike $N15^{\circ}E$, passing through the sites 206, 112 and 414. The shallow (< 1 km) conductive anomalies (L-4) seem to be fracture zones having strike E-W (at site 105) and $N60^{\circ}W$ (at site 434). And there exists a conductive layer in the western and west-southern part of the survey area in the depth below $2\~3\;km$, for which further investigation is to be needed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2000.09a
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• pp.183-193
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• 2000

A series of studies such as geological logging data analysis, detailed geological survey, rock mass evaluation, in-situ and laboratory tests, rock strength and mechanical properties of the rock were concerned. The stability of the slope were carried out inorder to design the pit slope and individual benches using the stereographic projection analysis and numerical methods in Roto Pit of Pasir coal fetid. The bedding plane was one of the major discontinuities in the Roto Pit and the dip of which is about $60^{\circ}$in the northern part and $83^{\circ}$in the southern part. The dip of bedding becomes steeper from north to south. The plane and toppling failures are presented in many slopes. In laboratory test the average uniaxial compressive strength of mudstone was 9 MPa and that of weak sandstone was 10 MPa. In-situ test showed that the rocks of Roto north mining area are mostly weak enough to be classified in grade from R2(weak) to R3(medium strong weak) and the coal is classified in grades from R1(Very weak) to R2(Weak). The detailed stability analysis were carried out on 4 areas of Roto north(east, west, south and north), and 2 areas of Roto south(east and west). In this paper, the minimum factor of safety was set to 1.2 which is a general criterion for open pit mines. Using the stereographic projection analysis and the limit equilibrium method, slope angles were calculated as 30~$36^{\circ}$for a factor of safety greater than 1.2. Then these results were re-evaluated by numerical analysis using FLAC. The final slope angles were determined by rational described abode. A final slope of 34 degrees can guarantee the stability for the eastern part of the Roto north area, 33 degrees for the western part, 35 degrees for the northern part and 35 degrees for the southern part. For the Roto south area, 36 degrees was suggested for both sides of the pit. Once the pit slope is designed based on the stability analysis and the safety measures. the stability of 니ope should be checked periodically during the mining operations. Because the slope face will be exposed long time to the rain fall, a study such aspreventive measures against weathering and erosion is highly recommended to be implemented.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.430-440
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• 2000

A series of studies such as geological logging data analysis, detailed geological survey, rock mass evaluation, in-situ and laboratory tests, rock strength and mechanical properties of the rock were concerned. The stability of the slope were carried out inorder to design the pit slope and individual benches using the stereographic projection analysis and numerical methods in Roto Pit of Pasir coal field. The bedding plane was one of the major discontinuities in the Roto Pit and the dip of which is about 60$^{\circ}$ in the northern part and 83$^{\circ}$ in the southern part. The dip of bedding becomes steeper from north to south. The plane and toppling failures are presented in many slopes. In laboratory test the average uniaxial compressive strength of mudstone was 9MPa and that of weak sandstone was 10MPa. In-situ test showed that the rocks of Roto north mining area are mostly weak enough to be classified in grade from R2(weak) to R3(medium strong weak) and the coal is classified in grades from R1(Very weak) to R2(Weak). The detailed stability analysis were carried out on 4 areas of Roto north (east, west, south and north), and 2 areas of Roto south(east and west). In this paper, the minimum factor of safety was set to 1.2 which is a general criterion for open pit mines. Using the stereographic projection analysis and the limit equilibrium method, slope angles were calculated as 30∼36$^{\circ}$ for a factor of safety greater than 1.2. Then these results were re-evaluated by numerical analysis using FLAC. The final slope angles were determined by rational described above. A final slope of 34 degrees can guarantee the stability for the eastern part of the Roto north area, 33 degrees for the western part, 35 degrees for the northern part and 35 degrees for the southern part. For the Roto south area, 36 degrees was suggested for both sides of the pit. Once the pit slope is designed based on the stability analysis and the safety measures, the stability of slope should be checked periodically during the mining operations. Because the slope face will be exposed long time to the rain fall, a study such aspreventive measures against weathering and erosion is highly recommended to be implemented.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2012

In September 2009, a perfectly preserved fossil of a dinosaur egg nest was discovered in the Cretaceous formations of the Aphaedo area in Shinan, Jeollanam-do, South Korea. In order to estimate the age of dinosaur eggshells and the depositional age of the Cretaceous sediments in Aphaedo area, a whole-rock K-Ar dating was carried out on volcanic pebbles showing a sedimentary structure contemporaneous with the Aphaedo strata, acidic tuffs overlaying the strata conformably, and acidic dike rocks intrude to both of them. Volcanic rocks observed in the strata are 3-20 cm in diameter as pebbles found in lenticular conglomerate and pebble bearing mudstone strata. K-Ar whole-rock dating was performed on six different volcanic pebbles which show a sedimentary structure contemporaneous with the dinosaur egg nest contained in the strata, and all samples show Late Cretaceous ages: Cenomanian ($97.6{\pm}1.9$Ma), Coniacian ($87.6{\pm}1.7$ Ma), Santonian ($84.5{\pm}1.7$Ma) or Campanian ($82.5{\pm}1.6$, $77.3{\pm}1.5$, $75.7{\pm}1.5$ Ma). The K-Ar whole-rock age of acidic tuffs overlaying the Cretaceous formation conformably was estimated to be Campanian ($79.2{\pm}1.6$ or $77.3{\pm}1.5$Ma), when the dating was carried out under the same conditions. The acidic dike intruding both Cretaceous formation and acidic tuff showed a K-Ar whole-rock age of $70.9{\pm}1.4$Ma (Campanian). Therefore, the depositional age of the Cretaceous formation in the Aphaedo area and the time when dinosaurs lived in the study area are considered to be 77-83 Ma. Such results indicate that the ages of dinosaur eggshells from Aphaedo area can be correlated with the ages of the Seonso Formation (81Ma) with dinosaur egg nest fossils and the Uhangri Formation (79-81Ma) with dinosaur, pterosaur and web-footed bird tracks.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.555-568
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• 2004

The demand of aggregate resources in Korea has been increased with a rapid economic growth since the 1980s. About 25% of the total aggregate production is derived from riverine aggregates, 20% to 25% from marine sands, 40% to 45% from crushed aggregate and the rest 5% to 15% from old fluvial deposits. The abundance of crushed coarse aggregates varies in the uniform distribution of country, but in general it can be concentrated in the most densely populated areas, five main cities. Typical rock types of the Korean crushed stones are classified as plutonic rocks of 27%, metamorphic rocks of 32%, sedimentary rocks and volcanic rocks of 18%, respectively. The most abundant coarse aggregate used in the country is obtained from granite (25% of total) and subordinately gneiss (20%), sandstone (10%) and andesite (10%). Although rock types using as dimension stone are only fifteen, those as aggregate amount up to twenty nine rocks. These rocks consist of plutonic rocks such as granite, syenite, diorite, aplite, porphyry, felsite. dike and volcanic rocks such as rhyolite, andesite, trachyte, basalt, tuff, volcanic breccia and metamorphic rocks such as gneiss, schist, phyllite, slate, meld-sandstone, quartzite, hornfels, calc-silicate rock, amphibolite. And sandstone, shale, mudstone, conglomerate, limestone, breccia, chert are main aggregate sources in tile sedimentary rocks. The abundance of plutonic rocks is the highest in Chungcheongbuk-do, and decreases as the order of Jeollabuk-do, Gangwon-do and Gyeonggi-do. In Jeollanam-do, volcanic aggregates occupy above 50%, on the contrary sedimentary aggregates are above 50% in Gyeongsangnam-do.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.19-34
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• 2013

The Ipcheon Subbasin is an isolated Miocene basin in SE Korea, which has the geometry of an asymmetric graben elongated in the NE-SW direction. It is in contact with basement rocks by faults and separated from adjacent Waup and Eoil basins by the basement. The strata of the basin fills have an overall homoclinal structure, dipping toward NW or WNW. The basin fills consist of Early Miocene sediments rich in dacitic volcanic and volcaniclastic deposits and Middle Miocene non-volcanic and nonmarine conglomerates intercalated with sand layers, which are distributed in the northeastern and southwestern parts of the basin, respectively. Kinematic analysis of syndepositional conjugate faults in the basin fills indicates WNW-ESE extension of the basin. These features are very similar to those of the adjacent Waup and Eoil basins, indicating that the basin extension was governed by the NE-trending northwestern border faults and that the basin experienced a propagating rifting from NE to SW. Basaltic materials, which occur abundantly in the Eoil Basin, are totally absent in the Ipcheon Subbasin. The observations of the dacitic tuff and tuffaceous mudstone in the subbasin, on slabs and under microscope, suggest that they have lithologies very similar to those of the Yondongri Tuff in the Waup Basin. The Middle Miocene non-volcanic sediments of the Waup and Eoil basins and the Ipcheon Subbasin are distributed consistently in the southwestern part of each basin. It is thus concluded that the extension of the Ipcheon Subbasin began at about 22 Ma together with the Waup Basin and was lulled during the main extension period of the Eoil Basin between 20-18 Ma. At about 17 Ma, the subbasin was re-extended due to the activation of the Yeonil Tectonic Line associated with the propagating rifting toward SW. This event is interpreted to have provided new sedimentation space for the Middle Miocene sediments in the southwestern parts of the Waup and Eoil basins and the Ipcheon Subbasin as well.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.413-422
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• 2022

Barnea manilensis is a bivalve which bores soft rocks, such as, limestone or mudstone in the low intertidal zone. They make burrows which have narrow entrances and wide interiors and live in these burrows for a lifetime. In this study, the morphology and the microstructure of the valve of rock-boring clam B. manilensis were observed using a stereoscopic microscope and FE-SEM, respectively. The chemical composition of specific part of the valve was assessed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. 3D modeling and structural dynamic analysis were used to simulate the boring behavior of B. manilensis. Microscopy results showed that the valve was asymmetric with plow-like spikes which were located on the anterior surface of the valve and were distributed in a specific direction. The anterior parts of the valve were thicker than the posterior parts. EDS results indicated that the valve mainly consisted of calcium carbonate, while metal elements, such as, Al, Si, Mn, Fe, and Mg were detected on the outer surface of the anterior spikes. It was assumed that the metal elements increased the strength of the valve, thus helping the B. manilensis to bore sediment. The simulation showed that spikes located on the anterior part of the valve received a load at all angles. It was suggested that the anterior part of the shell received the load while drilling rocks. The boring mechanism using the amorphous valve of B. manilensis is expected to be used as basic data to devise an efficient drilling mechanism.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.437-448
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• 2000

The Middle Carboniferous Gabsan Formation is distributed in the Cheongrim area of southern Yeongwol and the Mt. Gachang area of Chungbuk Province. This study was carried out to investigate the lithological characters and geochemical composition of the limestones and to find out controlling structures of the limestones of the formation. The limestones of the Gabsan Formation are characterized by the light gray to light brown in color and fine and dense textures. The limestone grains are composed of crinoid fragments, small foraminfers, fusulinids, gastropods, ostracods, etc. Due to the recrystallization, some limestones consist of fine crystalline calcites. The chemical analysis of limestones of the formation was conducted to find out the contents of CaO, MgO, Al$_2$O$_3$, Fe$_2$O$_3$ and SiO$_2$. The content of CaO ranges from 49.78-60.63% and the content of MgO ranges from 0.74 to 4.63% The contents of Al$_2$O$_3$ and Fe$_2$O$_3$ are 0.02-0.55% and 0.02${\sim}$0.84% , respectively. The content of SiO$_2$ varies from 1.55 to 4.80%, but some samples contain more than 6.0%. The limestones of the formation can be grouped into two according to the CaO content: One is a group of which CaO content ranges from 49.78 to 56.26% and the other is a group of which CaO content varies from 59.36 to 60.38%. In the first group, the contents of Al$_2$O$_3$, Fe$_2$O$_3$ and SiO$_2$ range very irregularly according to the CaO content. In the second group, the values of MgO, Al$_2$O$_3$, Fe$_2$O$_3$ and SiO$_2$ are nearly same. Detailed structural analysis of mesoscopic structures and microstructures indicates the five phase of deformation in the study area. The first phase of deformation(D$_1$) is characterized by regional scale isoclinal folds, and bedding parallel S$_1$ axial plane foliation which is locally developed in the mudstone and sandstone. Based on the observations of microstructures, S$_1$ foliations appear to be developed by grain preferred orientation accompanying pressure-solution. During second phase of deformation, outcrop scale E-W trending folds with associated foliations and lineations are developed. Microstructural observations indicate that crenulation foliations were formed by pressure-solution, grain boundary sliding and grain rotation. NNW and SSE trending outcrop scale folds, axial plane foliations, crenulation foliations, crenulation lineations, intersection lineations are developed during the third phase of deformation. On the microscale F$_3$ fold, axial plane foliations which are formed by pressure solution are well developed. Fourth phase of deformation is characterized by map scale NNW trending folds. The pre-existing planar and linear structures are reoriented by F$_4$ folds. Fifth phase of deformation developed joints and faults. The distribution pattern of the limestones is mostly controlled by F$_1$ and F$_4$ folds.