• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
• /
• v.11 no.3_4
• /
• pp.214-233
• /
• 2002

Igneous rocks of Mt. Mudeung area are composed of Pre-Cambrian granite gneiss, Triassic hornblende-biotite granodiorite, Jurassic quartz diorite and Cretaceous igneous rocks. The Cretaceous igneous rocks consist of volcanic rocks (Hwasun andesite, Mudeung-san dacite and Dogok rhyolite) and granitic rocks (micrograpic granite and quartz porphyry). Major elements of the Cretaceous igneous rocks represent calc-alkaline rock series and correspond to a series of differentiated products from cogenetic magma. Igneous activity of Mt. Mudeung area started from volcanic activity, and continued to intrusive activity at end of the Cretaceous. In chondrite normalized REE pattern, most of igneous rocks of Mt. Mudeung area show similar pattern of Eu (-) anomaly. This is a characteristic feature of granite in continental margin by tectonic movement. Variation diagrams of total REE vs. La/Yb V vs. SiO$_2$ indicate differentiation and magnetite fractionation sequential trend of Hwasun andesite longrightarrowMudeungsan dacitelongrightarrowquartz porphyry. In mineral composition of these igneous rocks in mt. Mudeung area, composition of plagioclase and biotite coincidence with variation of whole rock composition, and emplacement and consolidation of magma is about 15 km (about 4.9 Kbar) in Jurassic quartz diorite and 2.0~3.2 km (0.6~1.0 Kbar) in Triassic hornblende-biotite granodiorite used by amphibolite geobarometer. Parental magma type of these granitic rocks of nt. Mudeung area corresponds to VAG field in Pearce diagram, and I-type in ACF diagram.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.635-646
• /
• 2000

Geological achievements of the 20th century revolutionized our views about geological understanding and concept. A good example is the concept of continental drift suggested early in the 20th century and later explained in terms of seafloor spreading and plate tectonics. Our understanding of the compositions of materials forming earth has also improved during the20th century. Radio and stable isotopes together with biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy allow us to interpret the evolution of sedimentary basins in terms of plate movement and sedimentation processes. The Deep Sea Drilling Project initiated in 1960s and continued as the Ocean Drilling Project in 1980s is one of the most successful international research observations, and new developments in computational techniques have provided a wholly new view about the interior of the earth. Most of the geological features and phenomena observed in deep sea and around continental margins are now explained in terms of global tectonic processes such as superplumes flowing up from the interior of our planet and interacting with such as Rodinia Pannotia and Nena back in the Precambrian time. The space explorations which began in the late 1950s opened up a new path to astrogeology, astrobiology, and astropaleontology. The impact theory rooted in the discovery of iridium and associated phenomena in 1980s revived Cuvier's catastrophism as a possible explanation for the extinctions of biotas found in the geological record of this planet. Due to the geological achievements made in the 20th century, we now have a better understanding of geologic times and processes that were too long to be grasped by human records.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.215-225
• /
• 1996

All the radionuclides in high-level nuclear waste will decay to harmless levels eventually but for some radionuclides decay is so slow that their radiation remains dangerous for times on the order of tens or hundreds of thousands of years. At the present time, the most favorite disposal plan for high-level radioactive waste is a mined geological disposal in which canister enclosing stable solid form of radioactive waste is placed in mined cavities locating hundred meters below the surface. The chief hazard in such disposal is dissolution of radionuclides from the waste in the groundwater that will eventually carry the dissolved radionuclides to surface environments. The hazard from possible escape of the radionuclides through groundwater can be delayed by engineered and geologic barriers. The engineered barriers can become useless by unexpected geologic catastrophe such as volcanism, earthquake, and tectonic movement and by fraudulent work such as careless construction, improperly welded canisters within the first few decades or centuries. As a result, dangerously radioactive waste which is still intensively radioactive is directly exposed to attack by moving groundwater. All the more, it is almost impossible to control repositories for times more than 10,000 years. Therefore, naturally controlled geologic, barriers whose properties will not be changed within 10,000 years are important to guarantee the safety of repositories of high-level radioactive waste. In Sweden and France, the suitability of granite for the mined geological disposal of high-level waste has been studied intensively. According to the research in Sweden and France, granites has the following physio-chemical characteristics which can delay the transportation of radionuclide by groundwater. First, the permeabilities of granites decreases as the depth increases and is $10^{-8}{\sim}10^{-12}m/s$ at depth below 300 m. Second, groundwater at depth below 300 m has pH=7-9 and reducing condition (Eh=-0.1~0.4). This geochemical condition is desirable to prevent both canister and solid waste from corrosion. Third most radionuclides are not transported by low solubilities and some radionuclide with high solubility such as Cs and Sr are retarded by absorption of geologic media through which ground water flows. Therefore, if high-level waste is disposed at depth below 300 m in the granite body which has a low permeability and is geologically stable more than 10,000 years, the safety of repositories from the hazard due to radionuclide escape can guaranteed for more than 10,000 years.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.649-665
• /
• 2011

Estuary of River Nakdong(in south-eastern coast of Korean Peninsula) is the most representative site of delta in Korea. This study is to elucidate morpho-structural background associated with the embayment area and sedimentation processes, having allowed development of the delta. In this area, Great morphological trait of the embayment area had been formulated by differential erosion exploiting regional fracture system(NNE-SSW, NNW-SSE, E-W,...) of tectonic origin. For this reason, outline of the embayment basin shows quadrangular plan, and ridges and dissected valleys of neighbouring mountains draw frequently morphological lineament pattern. At the last glacial age when delta deposit had not yet filled the actual embayment basin of the Nakdong, mechanical weathering(frost shattering) and mass-movement processes had provided detritus materials composed of blocks, boulders on bottom the basin. With the postglacial transgression in the Holocene, the basin had been submerged, then began to be filled with fluvio-marine deposits from Kimhae-Yangsan area toward actual estuarine zone, so that Nakdong delta have been formed. Analysis and synthesis of from hundreds of boring data of the delta area reveal that progression of delta formation have been accompanied with the development of barrier islands. If the barrier islands had grown as forming a plural row, then their intervals have posteriorly filled with another fluvio-marine deposits. Besides, it shows that delta deposits are essentially alluvial. However, at the periphery of the delta, intervention of fine marine deposits is frequently found.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.393-404
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to identity scientific models included in the Earth domain of the $10^{th}$ grade science textbooks. Three earth science-related chapters in each of 11 trade books were analyzed. A framework was developed and used to classify a scientific model from three different perspectives: medium of representation, method of representation, and mobility of a model. Results showed that the science textbooks utilized domain-specific models in which the nature of sub-areas of earth science was embedded. That is, the unit of 'Change of the Earth' included many iconic models that represented the inaccessible inner structure of the earth and the movement of the tectonic plates. These were also two-dimensional pictorial and static models. In the chapter of 'Atmosphere and Oceans', symbolic and diagrammatic models were dominant in use, which included weather maps and contour line graphs of sea surface temperature and salinity. The unit of 'Solar System and Galaxies' showed the highly frequent use of iconic and analogical models for the large-scale celestial objects and their movements. Implications for earth science education and relevant research were discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
• /
• v.3 no.3
• /
• pp.141-152
• /
• 2000

In the vicinity of the Antarctic-Scotia plate boundary off Elephant Island(EI), geophysical data(multichannel seismic and gravity data) reveal rapid structural variation of the Shackleton Fracture Zone(SFZ) along its strike. The SFZ ridge terminates in front of the Antarctic Peninsula margin, whereas the transform fault of the SFZ continues farther southeast near EI and the width of the SFZ broadens toward the southeast. Accordingly, the SFZ transform fault changes its morphology along its strike as (1) a graben structure along the high Shackleton ridge in Drake Passage, (2) a half-graben structure in oceanic crust just southeast of the Antarctic-Scotia plate boundary, and (3) splay faults deforming the margin of EI. Two phases of tectonic deformation are clearly observed along the transform fault. Major extensional deformation had formed a large-scale half-graben during roughly about $10{\sim}20$ Ma when Drake Passage had opened. And then, the Shackleton fault has been reactivated with reverse sense, which has been caused by recent convergence between Antarctic and Scotia plates due to westward movement of the Scotia plate since 6 Ma.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.533-541
• /
• 2004

A steadily consolidated conglomerate formation (CCF) is developed thickly around Tabjeong-ri and Janghang-ri to the east of Tohamsan, Gyeongju City. The CCF has been regarded to a basal conglomerate, Cheonbug Conglomerate, of the Yonil Group by Tateiwa (1924). Son et al. (2000) correlated the CCF to the Songjeon Formation, which occupies the southwestern block of Tertiary Waup Basin. However, the Songjeon Formation stratigraphically does not face to the extension of the CCF. OSL (Optically Stimulated Luminescence) data on the reddish brown to bluish gray psammitic layers, which are intercalated in the CCF, yielded to 85∼92 ka. Therefore, the age of CCF constrains to the last interglacial stage (MIS 5c-5e) rather than the Early Miocene Cheonbug Conglomerate. The Late Pleistocene Tohamsan Formation (TF) is newly named to the CCF and is subdivided to megabreccias and boulders. A rectangular basin, in which the TF is accumulated, is bounded by Oedong and Yonil faults (segments of Yonil Tectonic Line) and is given a name of Toham Basin. Neotectonically, Pliocene EW-transpression gave an effect of the top-up-to-the-west reverse faulting and the accompanied normal fault movement during the last interglacial age (ca. 100 ka). The basin is graben type, in which basin fills are composed of collapsed colluvial deposits, TF.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.215-230
• /
• 1984

Petrological, paleomagnetic, geomorphological and structural studies on the southern part of, so called, Chugaryeong rift valley, have been carried out in order to clarify the nature of the rift valley. Three stages of volcanic activities characterized by Jijangbong acidic volcanic rocks and tholeiitic and andesitic basalt of Cretaceous age(?), and Jongok Quaternary olivine basalt occurred along the Dongducheon fault line. Jijangbong acidic volcanic rocks distributed in the central part of the studied area consist of rhyodacite, acidic tuff and tuff breccia, which are bounded by Dongsong fault on the east and Daegwangri fault on the west. The Jongok basalt differs from those of Ulrung and Jeju islands in mineralogy, chemical composition and differentiation. Jongok basalt distributed along the Hantan river dilineates the vesicles curved toward downstream direction and increment of numbers and thickness of lava flow toward upstream direction. These facts suggest that lava flowed from upstream side of the river. Rectangular drainage patterns also support the presence of the Dongducheon, Pocheon, Wangsukcheon and Kyonggang faults which were previously known. LANDSAT image, however, does not show any lineaments which could be counted as a graben or rift valley. Displacement of Precambrian quartzite and Jurassic Daedong supergroup along the southwestern extension of the Dongducheon fault shows the right lateral movement. The Paleomagnetic study of the tholeiitic and andesitic basalts from Baegeuri, Jangtanri and Tonghyeonri located at 2. 3km east, 0km east, and 1.5km west of Dongducheon fault respectively shows that their VGP(Virtual Geomagnetic Pole) being to intermediate geomagnetic field of short duration which suggests that they formed in almost same period. Mean VGP of Jongok basalt is located 82.4N and 80.6E. This is in good coincidence with worldwide VGP of Plio-Pleistocene indicating that Jongok basalt was extruded during Plio-Pleistocene epoch, and suggesting that the studied area has been tectonically stable since then. From the present study, the tectonic episode of the region is concluded as following three stages. 1. The 1st period is worked by the Daebo orogeny of Jurassic during which granodiorite was intruded in Precambrian basement. 2. The 2nd period is the time when right lateral strike-slip fault of NNE-SSW direction was formed probably during late Cretaceous to Paleogene and the Jijangbong acidic volcanic rocks and the older basalts were extruded. 3. The 3rd period is the time when the fault was rejuvenated during Pliocene or Pleistocene accompanied by the eruption of Jongok basalt. As a conclusion, geologic structure of the studied area is rather fault line valley than graben or rift valley, which is formed by differential erosion along the Dongducheon fault suggesting a continuation of the Sikhote-Alin fault. The volcanic rocks including the Jijangbong acidic rocks, tholeiitic-andesitic basalt and olivine basalt are associated with this fault line.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.87-96
• /
• 1992

Paleomagnetic study on the sedimentary rocks in the Choongnam Coal Field has been carried out to determine the direction of declination and inclination of NRM and position of paleomagnetic pole, and to investigate the geotectonism and geomagnetic stratigraphy of the sedimentary rocks in the Daedong Group. As a result of paleomagnetic study, the study area can be divided tectonically into two blocks by Baegunsa fault, namely northwestern and southeastern blocks. Site mean declination and inclination of Baegunsa and Seoungjuri Formations in the northwestern block are $23.2^{\circ}$ and $54.9^{\circ}$, respectively. Those of Amisan, Jogyeri, Baegunsa and Seoungjuri Formations in the southeastern block show normal direction with declination and inclination of $-22.1^{\circ}$ and $11.2^{\circ}$, and reversed direction with those of $158.5^{\circ}$ and $-12.6^{\circ}$, respectively. Average paleomagnetic pole position in the northwestern block is located at $212.9^{\circ}E$ and $71.1^{\circ}N$, and that in the southeastern block at $345.7^{\circ}E$ and $53.3^{\circ}N$. This difference suggests relative rotation of about $45^{\circ}$ between two blocks. The paleolatitude of Daedong Group at the time of sedimentation is $5.6^{\circ}N$ much lower than present latitude of $37.7^{\circ}N$. Compared with worldwide Mesozoic paleomagnetic polarity stratigraphy, Amisan Formation is correlated with the lower boundary of Nuanetsi reversal zone in Graham interval, and Baegunsa and Seoungjuri Formations are correlated with just upper part of the upper boundary of Nuanetsi reversal zone, and their geologic ages are Late Triassic to Early Jurassic. The position of paleomagnetic pole acquired from Daedong Group in the study area is different from those in other places. This may be attributed to the different tectonic movement by Daebo Orogeny occurred after the deposition of Daedong Group.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.50 no.6
• /
• pp.525-535
• /
• 2017

Exhumation mechanism of migmatite in orogenic belts provides insights into thermo-mechanical evolution of lithosphere in association with orogeny. This study deals with kinematics of structures in and around the Gwangcheon Gneiss, as a preliminary study on exhumation mechanism, which is a main constituent of a domal structure (viz., Oseosan Dome) in the Hongseong area, southwestern margin of the Gyeonggi massif. Geological structures in the Gwangcheon Gneiss, which mainly comprises southern and northwestern part of the Oseosan Dome, generally have kinematic component of top-outward shear. This feature is likely to represent diapiric dome-up movement. In addition, a high strain zone, by which the tectonic domain involving the Gwangcheon Gneiss is bounded on the west, show structural features with normal sense of shear component. Taking available (thermo)chronological data into account, it is interpreted that activation of the high strain zone and exhumation of the Gwangcheon Gneiss occurred during Late Triassic, when the Gyeonggi massif was widely affected by post-collisional processes. It means that the Gwangcheon Gneiss was diapirically moved up and exhumed in the footwall of extensional high strain zone in association with Triassic post-collisional processes.