• Geosciences Journal
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.871-880
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• 2018

During and shortly after the 2017 Pohang Earthquake ($M_w$ 5.4), sand blows were observed around the epicenter for the first time since the beginning of instrumental seismic recording in South Korea. We carried out field surveys plus satellite and drone imagery analyses, resulting in observation of approximately 600 sand blows on Quaternary sediment cover in this area. Most were observed within 3 km of the epicenter, with the farthest being 15 km away. In order to investigate the ground's susceptibility to liquefaction, we conducted a trench study of a 30 m-long sand blow in a rice field 1 km from the earthquake epicenter. The physical characteristics of the liquified sediments (grain size, impermeable barriers, saturation, and low overburden pressure) closely matched the optimum ground conditions for liquefaction. Additionally, we found a series of soft sediment deformation structures (SSDSs) within the trench walls, such as load structures and water-escaped structures. The latter were vertically connected to sand blows on the surface, reflecting seismogenic liquefaction involving subsurface deformation during sand blow formation. This genetic linkage suggests that SSDS research would be useful for identifying prehistoric damage-inducing earthquakes ($M_w$ > 5.0) in South Korea because SSDSs have a lower formation threshold and higher preservational potential than geomorphic markers formed by surface ruptures. Thus, future combined studies of Quaternary surface faults and SSDSs are required to provide reliable paleoseismological information in Korea.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.153-163
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• 2012

The Earth's surface deforms vertically in response to a variety of sources relating to lithospheric and sub-lithospheric processes, and distinguishing the continental mechanisms for vertical motions of the lithosphere remains a fundamental challenge in geosciences. A key prerequisite to the challenge is documentation of the temporal and spatial pattern of vertical motions in different tectonic settings. This study is aimed at elucidating the geodynamic factors that can contribute to vertical motions of the Earth's surface in intraplate continental settings including the Neogene uplift in the Korean peninsula based on numerous recent achievements in relevant fields. Ultimately, deciphering the interplay between the Earth's surface and the Earth's interior processes leads us to the notion of "the importance of geomorphic landscape" as a prism to view the dynamics of the Earth's inside.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.119-133
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to develop riverbed techniques to activating ecological function of hyporheic zone. Hyporheic zone maybe simply defined as an active eco-tone between surface water and groundwater, which facilitates to exchange water, nutrients and aquatic habitat occur in response to variation in discharge and bed geomorphology. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an applied riverbed technique for two years since its installation in the hyporheic zone. The experimental riverbed technique has been implemented on Anyang stream penetrating Anyang city in Gyunggi province. The dimension of the installed structure is 5.0 m in width, 46 m in length. Bottom layer is filled with rip-rap covered with gabion. After the implementation of the technique, the study conducts follow-up monitoring in two years of between 2011 and 2012. The results of follow-up monitoring for two years are as follows:1) In Hydro geomorphic process, the riverbed technique maintains hydraulic stability despite of several flood events in 2011, 2012. 2) After transformation to form pool-and-riffle habitat, for aquatic community composed of freshwater fish, macro invertebrate, and attached algae, the species diversity and population gradually increased. 3) The riverbed technique achieved desired effect on enhancement of ecological function in hyporheic zone.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.18 no.2 s.23
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• pp.5-16
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• 2004

The geomorphic deformation of the alluvial fans by tectonic movement was investigated along the lineaments of the northem part of the Ulsan(Bulguksa) fault system. Based on the aerial photographs interpretation and field surveys Ulsan fault system was identified as an active reverse fault which has displaced the Quatemary fan deposits. Buguksa fault system strikes for the direction of NW-SE and N-S. These two lineaments of active fault are crossing at Jinty village in Gyeongju city and the fault plane forms here almost vertical dip. The lateral pressures from the two directions have possibly influenced on the formation of the vertical dip at jinty villagy. It should be resulted from that the two pressures responsible for the active reverse fault at which the one with the NW-SE strike thrusts the hanging wall of Tohamsan block southwestward and the other pressure with the N-S strike thrusts it westward over the foot wall of the fan deposits. The marine oxygen isotope stage 8(0.30-0.25 Ma. BP) and stage 6(0.20-0.14 Ma. BP) are presumed to be the ages of high and middle surfaces of the alluvial fan, repectively. The vertical displacements on the high surfaces along the Bulguksa fault system are about 1.05 m at Ha-Dong, 9.5-10.5 m at Jinhyun-Dong, and about 10 m high at Jinty village. And the vertical displacement on the middle surface was measured about 6 m high at Ha-Dong. The average slip rate of vertical displacements is calculated about 0.03-0.43 mm/y.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.584-596
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• 2005

Morphology, surface sediments, sedimentation rates and sea-cliff erosion have been monitored, for one year to investigate the shoreline changes and tidal beach characteristics in Cheonsu Bay along the west coast of Korea. The seacliff of the bay consists of intensively weathered sedimentary rocks and soft soil, showing an erosion range of $-58.9\~73.3cm/yr$ by a weak wave forcing. Active sea-cliff erosions are recognized by peculiar geomorphic features, including saw teeth-shaped coastline, gravels, relict weathered basement-rock and 'Island Stack' exposed on the high-tide beach surface. The beach sediments show low compositional maturity at the south and north headlands and gradually high towards the central part. This observation seems to be caused by the fact that beach sediments are to originate from the both headlands in the study area and then transported by long-shore current associated with a wave action.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 1997

The southwestern continental shelf of the East Sea, Korea developed mud deposits as a belt in the inner shelf area from Pusan to Pohang. The general surface sediments consist of very poorly to poorly sorted muddy sediment. The differences of physical, geological and geomorphic conditions in the study area may control and produce distinctive foraminiferal populations. To establish a baseline of environment for the muddy sediments in the southwestern continental shelf of the East Sea, 17 stations were sampled and proved to contain 45 species of living benthic foraminifera. Analysis of the foraminiferal populations in cluster analysis recognized to five habitat zones. These habitat zones contain distinctive cooccurrences of the entire occurring species. Foraminiferal community composition appeared to be closely interrelated of water masses, depths, nutrients and sediment characters.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.231-246
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• 1999

The geomorphic deformation of the alluvial fans by tectonic movement was investigated along the lineaments of the northern part of the Bulguksa fault system. Based on the aerial photographs interpretation and field surveys Bulguksa fault system was identified as an active reverse fault which has displaced the Quaternary fan deposits. Bulguksa fault system strikes for the direction of NW-SE and N-S. These two lineaments of active fault are crossing at Jinty village in Kyungju city and the fault plane forms here almost vertical dip. Thelateral pressures from the two directions have possibly influenced on the formation of the vertical dip at Jinty village. It should be resulted from that the two pressures responsible for the active reverse fault at which the one with the NW-SE strike thrusts the hanging wall of Tohamsan block southwestward and the other pressure with the N-S jstrike thrusts it westwrd over the foot wall of the fan deposits. The marine oxygen isotope stage 8(0.30-0.25 Ma. BP) and stage 6(0.20-0.14 Ma. BP) are presumed to be the ages of high and middle surfaces of the alluvial fan, repectively. The vertical dispiacements on the high surface along the Bulguksa fault system are about 10.5m at Ha-dong, 9.5-10.5m at Jinhyun-dong, and about 10m at Jinty village. And the vertical displacement on the middle surface was measured about 6m high at Ha-dong. The average slip rate of vertical displacements is calculated about 0.03-0.043mm/y.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.43-55
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• 2018

This study aimed to identify different sedimentary environments of Gochang coast according to geomorphic conditions of each bore hole. To achieve the aim, this study utilized the classification of sedimentary environmental conditions of surface sediment, which was based on grain size distribution characteristics.In other words, three sedimentary environmental conditions ofsandy flat + sand beach, coastal sand dune and weathered bedrock soil, which were distinguished based on grain size distribution characteristics of mean-sorting for surface sediments, were applied to the sediments of bore holes. Four sedimentary environments could be identified in Gochang coast. First, the lake sedimentary environment originated from terrestrial sediments seems to have been dominated by weathered bedrock soil that the surface flow has deposited in a coastal wetland or a boundary, which is affected by the sea. Second, the lake sedimentary environment that is little affected by coastal sand dunes is located at the center of a valley, which is connected to the land, and the dune slack of Saban-ri. The surface flow of weather bedrock soil is the main source of deposits. However, there seems to have been a temporary influence of the sea. Third, the lake sedimentary environment that is strongly affected by coastal sand dunes is located at the dune slack of Yeongjeong-ri. This environment shows traces of a change from a coastal sand dune into the dune slack. Finally, the coastalsand dune sedimentary environment, which wasinvestigated by boring the current coastal sand dune, shows a temporary influence of the land but seems to have maintained the overall stability. Consequently, this study demonstrated that the grain size distribution characteristics of the present surface sediments could be effectively applied to identify the sedimentary environments of the paleo bore hole sediments. In addition, the paleo change of sedimentary environment could also be identified in many places of Gochang coast. If the results of this study are combined with the age dating and geochemical analysis in future works, the paleo environmental change in Gochang coast will be restored more precisely.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.103-119
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• 1995

This Paper aims to compare the lower marine terraces distributed from Muckho to Gangneung in the mid-eastern coast of Korean peninsula by the geomorphic method of using characteristies of terrace features and terrace deposits, paleosol, and fossil cryogenic structures, and to estimate the age of the lower marine terraces on the basis of the comparisons of those with the characteristics of thalassostatic terrace in adjacent rivers. The 1ower marine terraces in this area can be classified into two levels, i.e., lower marine terrace I and II surfaces, in desending order, according to the difference of former shoreline altitude. The former shoreline heights of the lowerm marine terrace I and II surfaces are 18m and 10m, respectiveiy. The width of the I surface is broader and distributed more continuousiy than that of II surface. Daejin I surface in Muckho coast, and Myeongju and Anin terrace in Gangneung coast could be classified into the lower marine terrace I surface, and Daejin II surfaCe into II surface. The Surface of ancient shore platform of the lower marine terrace I and II surfaces were weathered, and the color of the terrace deposit ranges from red to reddish brown. And this terrace deposit is covered with slope deposit of Last Glacial or fossil periglacial structures (platy structure and vecicle) of Last Glacial are formed in terrace deposit. These facts indicate that the lower marine terrace I and II surfaces had been formed before the Last Glacial, and then affected by chemical weathering under warm environment, finally followed by cold period. But the deposit of the lower marine terrace I surface is more weathered than that of II surface. And pseudogleyed red soil, which is developed in I but not in II surface, could be judged to have been formed in the Last Interglacial culmination stage (Oxygen isotope stage 5e). Therefore, in terms of the degree of weathering of the terrace deposit and the existence of pseudogleyed red soil, the age of both terrace is thought to be a little different. And the characteristics of the above mentioned II surface are accord with those of thalassostatic terrace formed in middle or late period of the Last Interglacial (5e or 5a). Thus on the basis of above all points, the lower marine terrace I and II surfaces in this area could be seen to have formed in the Last Interglacial culmination stage and middle or late period of the Last Interglacial, respectively. Because the lower mamine terrace I surface is broadry distributed in the eastern coast of Korea nPeninsula, the surface could be used to be a key surface in studying Quaternary marine terraces.

• Journal of the Speleological Society of Korea
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• no.72
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• pp.19-30
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to clarified the geology and geomorphic characteristics of the Hantan River Basin. In this area, some kind of landforms are developed such as pre-land forms, lava plateau, and present landforms etc. Some river terraces are peculiar features in the area. Some conclusions are as follows : The vicinity of the Hantan River is lava plateau formed from the volcanic activity. Some steptoes are located in the lava plateau. Baekeuiri formation means the river bed boulder beneath the lava formation. The development of drainage patterns are unstable and the bifurcation ratio, the ratio of mean length of the river are lower than the other rivers. The relative height of the terraces is about $5{\sim}25m$ and the terraces are alluvial terraces. In the Jiktang Fall area, bedrock is granite and basalt plateau covered the bedrock. In that point, the old erosion surface is relatively steeper than the horizontal-basalt plateau. Vertical columnar joints are developed and weathering materials creep on the valley wall. The cross section of the landform of the Kosukjung vicinities are somewhat different from the landforms of Jiktang Fall. The bedrock near the Kosukjung is granite that is the same with the Jiktang Fall. But the cross section shows a asymmetrical curve from each side.