• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.141-155
• /
• 2023

Monitoring technology based on electrical resistivity is widely used for non-destructive data collection and health analysis of underground structures and tunnels. Vulnerable sections such as fault zone generates many problems during construction of the tunnel. These problems cause displacement and stress changes of the ground. Therefore, it is necessary to predict the state of the fault zone section to ensure the mechanical stability of the underground structure. Monitoring the size of joints and the porosity of the fillings is essential for rocks. Previous studies have not considered the variety of fillings in rock joints. In this study, electrical resistivity tests were conducted according to the particle mixing state of the sandy fillings. When the size of fillings is decreased at the constant porosity, the electrical resistivity tends to increase. The results of this study are expected to be useful as basic electrical resistivity data for predicting the ground conditions and evaluation of the ground behavior that is containing sandy fillings in the rock joint for tunnels.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.531-549
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship of hydrochemistry, geology, fault with occurrence of uranium and radon-222 from the groundwater in the Yeongdong area. In this study, 49 groundwater and 4 surface water samples collected in the study area were collected on two separate occasions. The surface radioactivities were measured at 40 points to know the relationship between the occurrence of uranium in groundwater and surface geology. The chemical composition of groundwater showed three types : $Ca-HCO_3$, $Na-HCO_3$ and $Ca-HCO_3(SO_4,\;NO_3)$. Two groundwater of 49 samples exceeded the maximum contaminant levels of uranium, $30{\mu}g/L$, proposed by the Ministry of Environment of Korea and 11 groundwater of 40 samples for Rn-222 concentrations exceeded the 148 Bq/L maximum contaminant level of US EPA. Most of unsuitable groundwater are located in the geological boundary related with the biotite gneiss and the surface radioactivities of rock samples showed no relationship with groundwater geochemical constituents. The strike-slip fault, Youngdong fault, is $N45^{\circ}E$ direction and the high concentrations of uranium in upper part of fault, consisted of granite and granitic gneiss are detected but in lower part, consisted of metamorphic sedimentary rock are not detected. It suggests that the natural radioactive concentrations are related with the geologic characteristics and the migration and diffusion of natural radioactive materials are affected by the fault.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.585-596
• /
• 2020

The 2017 Pohang Earthquakes occurred near a drill site in the Pohang Enhanced Geothermal System. Water injected for well stimulation was believed to have reactivated the buried near-critically stressed Miocene faults by the accumulation of the Quaternary tectonic strain. However, surface expressions of the Quaternary tectonic activity had not been reported near the epicenter of the earthquakes before the site construction. Unusual, large-scale water-escaped structures were identified 4 km away from the epicenter during a post-seismic investigation. The water-escaped structures comprise Miocene mudstones injected into overlying Pleistocene coastal sediments that formed during Marine Isotope Stage 5. This indicates the vulnerable state of the mudstones long after deposition, resulted from the combined effects of rapid tectonic uplift (before significant diagenesis) and the development of an aquifer at their unconformable interface of the mudstone. Based on the detailed field analysis and consideration of all possible endogenic triggers, we interpreted the structures to have been formed by elevated pore pressures in the mudstones (thixotropy), triggered by cyclic ground motion during the earthquakes. This interpretation is strengthened by the presence of faults 400 m from the study area, which cut unconsolidated coastal sediment deposited after Marine Isotope Stage 5. Geological context, including high rates of tectonic uplift in SE Korea, paleo-seismological research on Quaternary faults near the study area, and historical records of paleoearthquakes in SE Korea, also support the interpretation. Thus, epicenter and surrounding areas of the 2017 Pohang Earthquake are considered as a paleoseismologically active area, and the causative fault of the 2017 Pohang Earthquakes was expected to be nearly critical state.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.205-220
• /
• 2002

The gold-silver deposits in the Casado district were formed in the sheeted and stockwork quartz veins which fill the fault fractures in volcanic rocks. K-Ar dating of alteration sericite (about 70 Ma) indicates a Late Cretaceous age for ore mineralization. These veins are composed of quartz, adularia, carbonate, and minor of pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, Ag-sulfosalts (argentite, pearceite, Ag-As-Sb-S system), and electrum. These veins are characterized by chalcedonic, comb, crustiform and feathery textures. Based on the hydrothermally altered mineral assemblages, regional alteration zoning associated with mineralization in the Gasado district is defined as four zones; advanced argillic (kaolin mineral-alunite-quartz), argillic (kaolin mineral-quartz), phyllic (quartz-sericite-pyrite) and propylitic (chlorite-carbonate-quartz-feldspar-pyroxene) zone. Phyllic and propylitic zones is distributed over the study area. However, advanced argillic zone is restricted to the shallow surface of the Lighthouse vein. Compositions of electrum ranges from 14.6 to 53.7 atomic % Au, and the depositional condition for mineralization are estimated in terms of both temperature and sulfur fugacity: T=245。$~285^{\circ}C$, logf $s_2$=$10^{-10}$ ~ $10^{-12}$ Fluid inclusion and stable isotope data show that the auriferous fluids were mixed with cool and dilute (158。~253$^{\circ}C$ and 0.9~3.4 equiv. wt. % NaCl) meteoric water ($\delta^{18}$ $O_{water}$=-10.1~8.0$\textperthousand$, $\delta$D=-68~64$\textperthousand$). These results harmonize with the hot-spring type of the low-sulfidation epithermal deposit model, and strongly suggest that Au-Ag mineralization in the Gasado district was formed in low-sulfidation alteration type environment at near paleo-surface.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.513-525
• /
• 2009

The Buyeong gold-silver deposit consists of quartz veins that fill along the NS fault zone within Cretaceous Goseong formation. Mineralization can be divided into hypogene and supergene stages. Hypogene stage is associated with hydrothermal alteration minerals such as sericite, pyrite, chlorite, epidote and sulfides such as pyrite, pyrrhotite, marcasite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena and galenobismutite. Supergene stage is composed of malachite, goethite, chalcocite, and sphalerite oxide. Fluid inclusion data indicate that homogenization temperatures and salinities range from 112 to $340^{\circ}C$ and from 0.2 to 7.9 wt.% NaCl, respectively. Sulfur(3.2~3.9‰) isotope composition indicates that ore sulfur was derived from mainly magmatic source as well as partly host rocks. The calculated oxygen(4.3~6.0‰) and hydrogen(-60~-64‰) isotope compositions indicate that hydrothermal fluids may be meteoric origin with some degree of mixing of another meteoric water for paragenetic time.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.55-70
• /
• 2001

Granitoids in the Younggwang-Kimje area can be divided into two types of granite. One is foliated granite (Cheongup and Kochang foliated granites) developed along the NE-SW direction kwangju fault system and the other is undeformed granite (Kimje and Younggwang granites) developed in the western part of the area. $SiO_2$ content of study area, Younggwang granite is 62.8-74.0%, Kochang foliated granite is 64.5-74.4%, Cheongup foliated granite is 64.5-70.2%, Kimje granite is 63.4-72.0%. The result indicated that these granitoids belong to the intermediate and acidic rock. In Harker's diagram, as $SiO_2$ increases, $Al_2O_3$, $Fe_2O_3$, MgO, CaO, $TiO_2$> $P_2O_{5}$s and MnO decrease, but $K_2O$ increases. In AFM diagram, Younggwang granite, Kochang foliated granite, Cheongup foliated granite and Kimje granite belong to calk-alkaline rock series. And in triangular diagrams of normative Qz-Or-Pl and An-Ab-Or, they are located in granodiorite and granite region. On the co-variation diagrams of trace elements with silica, Ba, Co, Li, Nb, An, Rb elements show increasing patterns. The diagrams of ACF and $Na_2O$ vs. $K_2O$ ratios indicate that granitoids of the study area belong to I-type.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 1988

This is a study on the mineral compositions, SK numbers of refractoriness and the genesis of the clay mineral deposits in Cheonnam Province and Handong area. 1. Jindo kaolin deposits: Chief clay minerals of the deposits are kaolinite, quartz and alunite. The SK number of the ore is from $34^+$(the highest) to 27(the lowest). On the genesis of the deposits some geologists believe that the deposits were formed by the alteration of the siliceous tuff. But the deposits seems to be formed by the hydrothermal alteration of the rhyolite lava beds. This area is formed by alternative beds of tuff; and kaoline deposits. 2. Hadong area: Chief mineralogy of Hadong kaolin area is $10{\AA}$ halloysite and kaolinite. The SK number of some of the ore is up to $36^+$. The theoretic SK number of kaolinitic composition is 35. So one of the highest alumina minerals of gibbsite is formed in the ores of $36^+$ SK numbers. 3. Hampyong kaolin deposits: Most of kaolin has black color. The chief minerals are kaolinite, quartz and muscovite. Some of the kaoline contains rutile crystals. SK number ranges from 30 to 17. The kaolin deposit is formed by the transported sedimentation in lower part of the seashore. 4. Jangsan kaoline deposits: Chief minerals of the kaolin is kaolinite, quartz and muscovite. Some kaoline contains small crystals of pyrite. This area consists almost of the tuffs. Kaolin deposits also would be formed by the alteration of the tuffs. 5. Nohwado pyrophyllite deposits: Quartz and pyrophyllite are chief minerals. SK number of the ore ranges from 32 to 30. The pyrophyllite deposits would be formed by the hydrothermal alteration of the rhyolitic lava beds. This area consists of alterative beds of tuffs and rhyolitic lavas. 6. Songsuk pyrophyllite deposits: Chief minerals are quartz, kaolinite, pyrophyllite and iron oxides. In the pyrophyllite deposits egg-like inclusions of diaspore and kaolinite in composition. This area almost consists of tuffs. Several faults are developed and along the fault the tuff would begin to alter to pyrophyllite and some parts to diaspore and kaolinite nodules by the acts of hydrothermal solution.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.14 no.4 s.41
• /
• pp.469-485
• /
• 2004

The purpose of this study is to investigate the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in the Umsung area, and to elucidate the effect of host rock type, well depth and mineralization zone on the groundwater chemistry. The geology of the study area consists of Jurassic granite and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, which are bounded by a fault. Most of shallow groundwaters exploited in the Jurassic granite area are used for agricultural purpose, whereas the deep groundwaters in the Cretaceous sedimentary rocks are used for a drinking water. The shallow groundwater shows weak acidic pH, the electrical conductivity ranging from $142\;to\;903\;{\mu}S/cm$, and the chemical type of $Ca-HCO_3\;to\;Ca-Cl(SO_4,\;NO_3)$. A few of shallow groundwaters are contaminated by nitrate, and show high concentration of Fe, Mn and Zn, that reflects the effect of a mineralization zone. The deep groundwater shows neutral to weak alkaline pH, higher electrical conductivity than that of shallow groundwater, and the chemical type of $Ca-HCO_3$. The seepage water from the abandoned mines does not have the characteristics such as acidic pH, high concentration of heavy metals and high sulfate content. The hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of groundwater indicates an altitude effect of the recharge area between deep groundwater and shallow groundwater. In conclusion, the chemical composition of groundwater complicately reflects the effects of their host rocks, well depth, agricultural activity and mineralization zone in the study area.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.67-83
• /
• 2008

The sericite ore deposits formed in the Precambrian granitic rock at the Bonghwa area, Kyungsangbuk-do, South Korea. The geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of sericite occurred in Daehyun and Seonghwang mine were analyzed using petrographic microscope, XRD, EPMA, XRF and ICP. An alteration mechanism was also studied. Sericitization occurred within the granitic rock by hydrothermal alteration. From the careful study on the occurrence and mineral assemblage, four alteration zone were clearly identified. These zones reflect progressive hydrothermal alteration process. All sericites belong to $2M_1$ polytype and their mineralogical and geochemical properties are close to illite. The sericite ores show various colors, but the characteristics of major element compositions and crystal structures are not different. The trace element analysis, however, indicates that the difference in color attribute to the abundance of Cr and Ti: bluish green colored sericite are enriched in Cr and blackish green colored sericite enriched in Ti. The formation of sericite ore deposit in the granitic rocks are closely relate to fracture system such as fault and joint. It is considered that the sericite ore deposits in this area were formed by very simple hydrothermal alteration occurred along the fracture zones in granitic rocks with absence of other hydrothermally altered minerals such as kaolin and pyrophyllite.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.167-175
• /
• 2009

The geology of Sepola district in Mali is consisted of Birrimian group with metasedimentary rocks of lower Proterozoic and volcanoclastics, and later intrusive igneous rocks. Ore diposit in this district has the characteristics of vein- and disseminated-type gold deposit which was formed by infilling the secondary fracture zones related to the large-scale fault zone of NW direction within Birrimian group. It is confirmed as promising that Barani district has the gold grade of 0.53${\sim}$9.21 g/t with the extension of 1.3 km and width of 1 to 20.1 m. The ore mineralogy is simple with electrum, pyrite and galena. Fineness of gold grain ranges from 848 to 915(average 891) indicating mesothermal to hypothermal environment. Fluid inclusions are classified as liquid-rich type I. gas-rich type II and liquid-$CO_2$ bearing type III. Primary and pseudosecondary inclusions homogenize from 236 to 393$^{\circ}C$ with salinity of 0.0 to 8.6 wt% NaCl. Secondary inclusions homogenize from 103 to 184$^{\circ}C$ with salinity of 0.7 to 8.6 wt.%. From the relationship between homogeniztion temperature and salinity, it may be thought that auriferous fluid experienced dilution and cooling through inflow of meteoric water after fluid unmixing derived from pressure decrease in the temperature range of 400 to 250$^{\circ}C$. From the massive occurrence of quartz vein, simple mineralogy with paucity of sulfide, and presence of liquid-$CO_2$ bearing with high homogenization temperature, it is thought that gold mineralization in Sepola district correspods to the mesothermal to hypothermal ore deposit.