• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.81-97
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• 2020

Geopark refers to a single boundary area consisting of a collection of geosites and geotrails, which includes ecological, historical and cultural elements based on geological and geomorphological resources. To ensure the continued development and conservation of existing listed geoparks, it is necessary to carry out an environmental sensitivity analysis of the geopark components by utilizing spatial information from various scales. The objectives of this study are to analyze the environmental sensitivity in Cheongsong UNESCO global geopark in relation with slope disaster using GIS and to understand its spatial distribution in connection with geosites and geotrails. Two types of spatial database were constructed; geosites and geotrails in Cheongsong UNESCO global geopark and spatial data to perform environmental sensitivity. Potential soil loss and slope stability were analyzed to derive environmental sensitivity related to slope hazard. The results showed relatively high environmental sensitivity along the drainage network of Cheongsong UNESCO global geopark. Zonal statistics analysis was conducted for further detailed distribution of environmental sensitivity based on buffer zones of geosites and geotrails. Majority of geological sites, geological trails, Jeolgol gorge~Jusan Pond section in hiking trails, and Dalgi Mineral Spring Site~Artistic Genius Republic of Korea(Jangnankki gonghwaguk) section in road areas show relatively high slope hazard sensitivity within buffer zones.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2021

Over the past decade, the number of national geoparks has rapidly increased, and 13 areas are currently designated as geoparks. After Jeju Island (2010), Cheongsong (2017), Mudeungsan (2018), and Hantangang River (2020) National Geoparks were listed as UNESCO Global Geoparks. Despite the continuous increase in the number of national geoparks and UNESCO global geoparks, the public interest in geoparks and the effect of regional economic development by geoparks are not yet very significant. Some geopark management organizations have developed geopark characters to appeal to the public through intimacy and friendliness, utilizing parks for education and tourism. However, the characters are not being utilized properly due to a lack of plannings, expertise, storytelling, and management. For geopark characters, which have been neglected since development, to perform their original roles, content production based on appropriate budget compilation and analysis of consumption trends in the character market is necessary. Instead of merely using geopark characters, geopark characters should be loved by the public, as well as local residents.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.136-141
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• 2007

The UNESCO`s earth science division has developed the geoparks program to recognize earth scientific heritage sites worldwide. To respond to this movement, I suggest Byeonsanbando National Park (BNP) as the first geopark in Korea and provide, at the same time, a line of evidence supporting the designation of geopark. BNP has the best qualifications with geological, geomorphological, ecological, and cultural resources. In Chaeseokgang and Jeokbyukgang, there are many geological and geomorphological resources attracting the scientific importance. In addition, BNP has a total of 844 species of wild plants and 550 species of wild animals. Cultural properties abound in BNP, including Koryo bronze bell of Naesosa and Taeungjon hall of Kaeamsa. To be designated a geopark by UNESCO, a management plan of geotourism will be required in addition to the geological, geomorphological, ecological and cultural resources, which should be prepared by the Korea National Parks Service and related local government authority. If the above-mentioned conditions are met completely, Korea would enter the global network of geoparks for the first time.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.655-674
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• 2023

This study examined whether the "self-guided interpretation" media in the Yeoncheon area of the Hantangang River UNESCO Geopark are intelligible for visitors. Accordingly, two on-site investigations were conducted in the Hantangang River Global Geopark in September and November 2022. The Yeoncheon area, known for its diverse geological features and the era of geological attraction formation, was selected for analysis. We analyzed the readability levels, graphic characteristics, and alignment with science curriculum of the interpretive media specific to geological sites among a total of 36 self-guided interpretive media in the Yeoncheon area. Results indicated that information boards, primarily offering guidance on geological attractions, were the most prevalent type of interpretive media in the Yeoncheon area. The quantity of text in explanatory media surpassed that of a 12^th-grade science textbook. The average vocabulary grade was similar to that of 11^th- and 12^th-grade science textbooks, with somewhat reduced readability due to a high occurrence of complex sentences. Predominant graphic types included illustrative photographs, aiding comprehension of the geological formation process through multi-structure graphics. Regarding scientific terms used in the interpretive media, 86.3% of the terms were within the "Solid Earth" section of the 2015 revised curriculum, with the majority being at the 4^th-grade level. The 11^th-grade optional curriculum terms comprised the second largest portion, and 13.7% of all science terms were from outside the curriculum. Notably, variations in the scientific terminology's complexity was based on geological attractions. Specifically, the terminology level on the homepage tended to be generally higher than that on information boards. Through these findings, specific factors impeding visitor comprehension of geological attractions in the Yeoncheon area, based on the interpretation medium, were identified. We suggest further research to effect improvements in self-guided interpretation media, fostering geological resource education for general visitors and anticipating advancements in geology education.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.749-761
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• 2022

As the number of National and UNESCO Global Geoparks has increased, awareness of geological heritage and local government interests have also increased. In this study, data from the geological heritage sites in the Ulsan area were summarized, a practical use plan for geological heritage was prepared based on the assessment results, and the expected effects were also presented. The value for 33 of 112 geological heritage sites identified through literature surveys was evaluated. In terms of the geological heritage types in Ulsan, there were two geological, one geomorphological, and thirty mixed-heritage sites. In the context of the geological heritage of Ulsan, rivers and coastal topography were found to be dominant, and various geomorphological and geological features, such as fossils, folds, faults, shear zones, minerals, and ore deposits are included. Based on the assessment results, there were three, eighteen, nine, and three sites in Classes I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Considering the intrinsic and subsidiary values of geological heritage, the Gangdong Coast, Jujeon Coast, Taehwagang area, Daewangam area, the Daegokri-Cheonjeonri track sites, and Mujechineup are likely to be listed as potential geosites. When the endorsement of the geopark has been promoted alongside these geosites, it can contribute to the sustainable preservation and maintenance of the geosites, satisfy the demand for science education through geo-education, and support the sustainable development of the local economy following the detailed standards for geopark certification in the Natural Parks Act. This is expected to increase the brand value of Ulsan Metropolitan City.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.417-427
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• 2010

The Lankawi archipelago is located in 30 km western offshore near the Thailand-Malaysia border in west coast of the Malay Peninsula and consists of 99 (+5) tropical islands, covering an area of about $479km^2$. Together with biodiversity in flora and fauna, the Lankawi archipelago displays also geodiversity that includes rock diversity, landform diversity, and fossil diversity. These biodiversity and geodiversity have led to the Lankawi islands as a newly emerging hub for ecotourism in Southeast Asia. As a result, the Lankawi islands have been designated the first Global Geopark in Southeast Asia by UNESCO since July 1st, 2007. The geodiversity of Lankawi Geopark today is a result of a very long depositional history under the various sedimentological regimes and paleoenvironments during the Paleozoic, followed by tectonic and magmatic activities until the early Mesozoic, and finally by surface processes that etched to the present beautiful landscape. Paleozoic strata exposed in the Lankawi Geopark are subdivided into four formations that include the Machinchang (Cambrian), Setul (Ordovician to Early Devonian), Singa (Late Devonian to Carboniferous), and Chuping (Permian) formations in ascending order. These strata are younging to the east, but they are truncated by the Kisap Thrust in the eastern part of the islands. Top-to-the-westward transportation of the Kisap Thrust has brought the older Setul Formation (and possibly Machinchang Formation) from the east to overlay the younger Chuping and Singa formations in the central axis of the Lankawi islands. Triassic Gunung Raya Granite intruded into these sedimentary strata, and turned them partially into various types of contact metamorphic rocks that locally contain tin mineral deposits. Since Triassic, not much geologic records are known for the Lankawi islands. Tropical weathering upon rocks of the Lankawi islands might have taken place since the Early Jurassic and continues until the present. This weathering process played a very important role in producing beautiful landscapes of the Lankawi islands today.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.59-83
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• 2024

The directions of recent library construction and operation reflect people's changed lifestyle and suggest innovative spaces specialized on the basis of the local environment. Hence, as the goals of the operation of (tentatively named) Songdaeso Library to be constructed within the Hantangang River UNESCO Global Geopark, this study proposes 'acting as complex cultural facilities,' 'operating stay-type reading culture space which is a shrine for workcation,' and 'acting as the landmark of A-gun (郡, county).' And this study works out strategies for its operation, which includes 'securing the validity of the construction of (tentatively named) Songdaeso Library,' 'linking to library policy as the driving force behind its operation,' and 'demonstrating the necessity for the existence of the library arising from the operation of the geological specialized library through landscape architecture.' It also presents concomitant operating plans, which are categorized into plans for manpower, library books, services, and budget.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.201-219
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• 2017

The Jinan Basin which includes Maisan locates in the central part of the northern boundary of the Yeongnam Massif. The basement rocks of the Jinan Basin and surrounding area are Precambrian gneiss and Mesozoic granite which were exposed on the surface before Cretaceous. The Jinan Basin, one of the Cretaceous pull-apart basins in South Korea, formed along the Yongdong-Gwangju fault system. Maisan is composed of conglomerate deposited in the eastern slope of the Jinan Basin showing the shape of horse ears and the unusual topography where many tafonies were developed. The strike slip fault that caused the Jinan Basin was connected to the deep depth so that the magma formed at 200 km depth could have extruded on the surface causing active volcanic activity in and around the Jinan basin. As a result, Cheonbansan composed of pyroclastic rocks, Gubongsan consisting of volcanic neck and WoonilamBanilam formed by the lava flow, appear around Maisan forming a specific terrain. After the formation of the Jinan Basin and surrounding volcanic rocks, they uplifted to form mountains including Masian; the uplifting time may be ca. 69-38 Ma. At this time, the Noryeong mountain range may be formed in the regions which extended from Chugaryeong through Muju and Jinan to Hampyeong dividing the Geumgang and Seomjingang water systems. Due to the ecological barrier, the Noryeong mountain range, Coreoleuciscus splendidus living in the Geumgang water systems was differentiated from that in the Soemjingang water system. In addition, the Geumgang and Mangyeong-Dongjingang water systems were separated by the Unjangsan, which developed in the NNW direction. As a result, diverse ecosystem have been established in and around Maisan and at the same time, diverse cultural and historical resources related to Maisan's unique petrological features, were also established. Therefore, Maisan and surrounding area can be regarded as a place where a geotourism can be successfully established by combining the ecological, cultural and historical resources with a geological heritage. Therefore Maisan and surrounding areas have a high possibility to be a National Geopark and UNESCO Global Geopark.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.39-54
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• 2021

Damyang Wetland, a riverine wetland, has been designated as the first wetland protection area in South Korea and is a candidate area for the Mudeungsan Area UNESCO Global Geopark. The Damyang Wetland area is the upstream part of the Yeongsan River and is now a relatively wide plain. To reconstruct the sedimentary environment around the Damyang Wetland, core samples were obtained, and sedimentary facies analysis, AMS and OSL age dataings, grain size, and geochemical analyses were carried out. In addition, comprehensive sedimentary environment changes were reconstructed using previous core data obtained from this wetland area. In the Yeongsan River upstream area, where the Damyang Wetland is located, fluvial terrace deposits formed during the late Pleistocene are distributed in an area relatively far from the river. As a gravel layer is widely distributed throughout the plains, Holocene sediments were likely deposited in a braided river environment when the sea level stabilized after the middle Holocene. Then, as the sedimentary environment changed from a braided river to a meandering river, the influx of sand-dominated sediments increased, and a floodplain environment was formed around the river. In addition, based on the pollen data, it is inferred that the climate was warm and humid around 6,000 years ago, with wetland deposits forming afterward. The the trench survey results of the river area around the Damyang Wetland show that a well-rounded gravel layer occurs in the lower part, covered by the sand layer. The Damyang Wetland was likely formed after the construction of Damyang Lake in the 1970s, as muddy sediments were deposited on the sand layer.