• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2020

In fluvial and riparian ecosystems, biogeomorphological research has considered the complex, multi-way relationships between biological and hydro-geomorphological components over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. In this review, we discussed the scope and processes of fluvial biogeomorphology by explaining (1) the multi-lateral interactions between organisms and hydrogeomorphic conditions, (2) the relationships between biodiversity and habitat heterogeneity, and (3) the effects of disturbance on ecosystem patterns. Over time, an organism-landform complex along streams transitions in the sequences of geomorphic, pioneer, biogeomorphic, and ecological stages. Over space, water flow and sediment distributions interact with vegetation to modify channel topography. It is the habitat heterogeneity in streams that enhances riparian biodiversity. However, in the areas downstream of a dam, habitat types and conditions are substantially damaged and biodiversity should be reduced. In South Korea, riparian vegetation flourishes in general and, in particular, invasive species actively colonize in accordance with the changes in the fluvial conditions driven by local disturbances and global climate change. Therefore, the importance of understanding reciprocal relationships between living organisms and hydrogeomorphic conditions will ever increase in this era of rapid climate change and anthropogenic pressure. The fluvial biogeomorphic framework reviewed in this article will contribute to the ecological management and restoration of streams in Korea.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.19-40
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• 2014

Rock rebound values and chemical compositions of Gamak island at Sangha, Gochang, Jeollabuk do are analysed as a part of geomorphic survey of that area. Some corestones are formed by deep weathering found from the summit of rock mass of Gamak island, while the rocks a part of weathering front are exposed at the foot of the island. Rebound values of rock increase toward coastal plain, so summit would be weak in resistance to erosion. It can be assumed that chemical weathering is more active at the summit by the chemical index of alteration and changes in chemical composition ratio. However it should be mentioned that the samples are taken from the surface of the rock mass that more fresh part will be exposed when the weathered parts are removed. The chemical composition and CIA values of the polygonal cracks found from on the surface of weathering rind showed that this part has values between those of the summit and the footslope. The bottom of weathering rind with polygonal cracks has higher CIA value than those of the surface. Though it supports the result from the Bisul Mt., there also difference in the ratio of SiO2. It looks caused by the difference in weathering environment and chemical difference in parent rock. In summary Gamak island is the remnants of weathering front after removal of weathered material. The removal processes are more active at the footslope where the coastal processes are stronger than the summit.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.51-70
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• 2013

The characteristics of deposits formed by the Daejon-cheon and Soobuk-cheon, dissecting the mountains such as Byungpung Mt. and Samin Mt. in western part of Damyang county, Jeonmam province. Results from field survey and bore hole logging by KIGAM are used in interpreting depositional environment, in this study. By the result of deposits near of the channels Daejon-cheon and Soobuk-cheon, and main channel of Youngsan River, the depth of sediment layers in this area is 4~7m, far thinner than formerly estimated. Weathered material of local rocks forms the base of the sedimentary layers. It can be assumed that the location channel of the Youngsan river has been stable ever since the start of the sedimentary events. Sediment particles of tributaries are angular than those of Youngsan River. Particles are larger and sorting is poor. It is interpreted as mount flash flood deposits. Main sources of sediments at the valley bottom or deposition dominated area are the terrace deposits or slope deposits over the gentle foot-slope or front of surrounding mountains. Some particles show polygonal cracking on the surface originated from the strong chemical weathering, while most of these has high angularity. It means various geomorphic processes operate to produce and transport the particles in this area.Isolated hills within the sedimentary plains are made with weathered materials of local bedrock. In the case of foot-slope of the hills, thin sedimentary layers are found. So it can be concluded that surface features of deposition zone of the Daejon-cheon and Soobuk-cheon is formed by the filling of lower part of the valley and its feature partly controlled by the relief of the weathering front.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.385-400
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• 2004

The Lago Sofia Conglomerate encased in the 2km thick hemipelagic mudstones and thinbedded turbidites of the Cretaceous Cerro Toro Formation, southern Chile, is a deposit of a gigantic submarine channel developed along a foredeep trough. It is hundreds of meters thick kilometers wide, and extends for more than 120km from north to south, representing one of the largest ancient submarine channels in the world. The channel deposits consist of four major facies, including stratified conglomerates (Facies A), massive or graded conglomerates (Facies B), normally graded conglomerates with intraformational megaclasts (Facies C), and thick-bedded massive sandstones (Facies D). Conglomerates of Facies A and B show laterally inclined stratification, foreset stratification, and hollow-fill structures, reminiscent of terrestrial fluvial deposits and are suggestive of highly competent gravelly turbidity currents. Facies C conglomerates are interpreted as deposits of composite or multiphase debris flows associated with preceding hyperconcentrated flows. Facies D sandstones indicate rapidly dissipating, sand-rich turbidity currents. The Lago Sofia Conglomerate occurs as isolated channel-fill bodies in the northern part of the study area, generally less than 100m thick, composed mainly of Facies C conglomerates and intercalated between much thicker fine-grained deposits. Paleocurrent data indicate sediment transport to the east and southeast. They are interpreted to represent tributaries of a larger submarine channel system, which joined to form a trunk channel to the south. The conglomerate in the southern part is more than 300 m thick, composed of subequal proportions of Facies A, B, and C conglomerates, and overlain by hundreds of m-thick turbidite sandstones (Facies D) with scarce intervening fine-grained deposits. It is interpreted as vertically stacked and interconnected channel bodies formed by a trunk channel confined along the axis of the foredeep trough. The channel bodies in the southern part are classified into 5 architectural elements on the basis of large-scale bed geometry and sedimentary facies: (1) stacked sheets, indicative of bedload deposition by turbidity currents and typical of broad gravel bars in terrestrial gravelly braided rivers, (2) laterally-inclined strata, suggestive of lateral accretion with respect to paleocurrent direction and related to spiral flows in curved channel segments around bars, (3) foreset strata, interpreted as the deposits of targe gravel dunes that have migrated downstream under quasi-steady turbidity currents, (4) hollow fills, which are filling thalwegs, minor channels, and local scours, and (5) mass-flow deposits of Facies C. The stacked sheets, laterally inclined strata, and hollow fills are laterally transitional to one another, reflecting juxtaposed geomorphic units of deep-sea channel systems. It is noticeable that the channel bodies in the southern part are of feet stacked toward the east, indicating eastward migration of the channel thalwegs. The laterally inclined strata also dip dominantly to the east. These features suggest that the trunk channel of the Lago Sofia submarine channel system gradually migrated eastward. The eastward channel migration is Interpreted to be due to tectonic forcing imposed by the subduction of an oceanic plate beneath the Andean Cordillera just to the west of the Lago Sofia submarine channel.