• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.33-40
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• 2006

Since early 1990's, several Quaternary faults have been found in the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula with reference to fault activity. Because some of these faults could be considered a capable fault, it is a very delicate matter, which need to be deal with carefully in assessing the seismic hazard. In determining whether or not a faults are capable, because of the low rate of seismicity and insufficient relationship between instrumental macro-seismicity and fault, there has been considerable debate among geologists and geophysicists in Korea. In this study, we discuss the criteria and probabilistic approaches that are used to assess whether or not a fault is seismogenic. And, we preliminarily also suggest the probability of fault activity from the spatial association between faults and earthquake epicenters, fault slip and tectonic stress, and geological evidence for multiple episodes of reactivation.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1311-1322
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• 2016

Since the scale and disaster characteristics of volcanic eruptions are determined by their geological features, it is important not only to grasp the current states of the volcanoes in neighboring countries around the Korean Peninsula, but also to analyze the tectonic settings, tectonic regions, geological features, volcanic types, and past eruptional histories of these volcanoes. We created a database of 285 volcanoes around the Korean Peninsula, and then identified a high-risk groups of 29 volcanoes that are highly likely to affect the region, based on conditions such as volcanic activity, the type of rocks at risk of eruption, the distance from Seoul, and high VEI (volcanic explosivity index). In addition, we identified the 10 volcanoes that should be given the highest priority. We selected them through an analysis of data available in literature, such as volcanic ash dispersion results from previous Japanese eruptions, the definition of a large-scale volcano used by Japan's Cabinet Office, and examination of cumulative magma layer volumes from Japan's quaternary volcanoes.

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

• Proceedings of the Mineralogical Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.54-54
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• 2003

The metasedimentary rocks together with various granitoids are the main constituents in Taebaeksan gneiss complex, northern Yeongnam Massif. Chemical compositions of sedimentary rocks may reflect the nature of the provenance and could be crucial for understanding the evolution of early continental crust. Previous workers have suggested that the provenance and tectonic studies based on the geochemistry of sediments are applicable to the Precambrian samples. In this study we analyzed the major, trace and REE elements of metasedimentary rocks to understand their provenance and tectonic setting during sedimentation. The overall geochemical characteristics of metasedimentary rocks are similar to those of average shale of the post-Archean. Major element chemistry indicates mature and sorted nature of the sediments. The degree of weathering in the source rocks the is not uniform, as inferred from a large scatter in chemical indices of weathering (CIW). The immobile trace elements such as Th, Sc, and REE can be used to discriminate various sedimentary processes. The Th/sc ratios (0.9 - 4.4) are larger than those of the upper crust and average shale, suggesting that the felsic source predominates. The contents of Ni and Cr and the variations in the ratio of compatible to incompatible elements are similar to the average post-Archean shale. Uniform chondrite-normalized REE pattern with the LREE enrichment (LaN/SmN = 4.9 ${\pm}$ 0.4) and slight negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu$\^$*/ = 0.7 ${\pm}$ 0.1) also support this observation. The presence of negative Eu anomaly indicates that intracrustal igneous processes involving plagioclase separation have affected the provenance rocks. The LREE enrichment implies the major role of felsic rocks in source rocks. The eNd (1.9 Ga) values of metasediment rocks vary from 9.4 to 6.7, corresponding to TDM of 2.9 - 2.7 Ga. On the other hand, the 147Sm/144Nd ratios are 0.1079 - 0.1101, corresponding to typical tettigenous sediments. The geochemical features of metasedimentary rocks such as high abundances of large ion lithophile elements, high ratios of Th/Sc and La/Sm, commonly high Th/U ratios, negative Eu anomalies, and negative eNd, suggest a provenance consisting virtually entirely of recycled upper continental crust in passive margin environment. Tectonic discrimination diagrams based upon major element compositions also support this suggestion. In conjunction with igneous activity and metamorphism in the convergent margin setting at 1.8 - 1. 9 Ga, the transition from passive margin to active margin characterize the Paleoproterozoic crustal evolution in northern Yeongnam Massif.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.128-139
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• 2022

This study aimed to investigate the tectonic setting of the volcanic edifice at Mt. Baekdu by analyzing petrochemical characteristics of Holocene felsic volcanic rocks distributed in the Baekdusan stratovolcano edifice and summit of the Cheonji caldera rim, as well as Pleistocene mafic rocks of the Gaema lava plateau and Changbaishan shield volcano edifice. During the early eruption phases, mafic eruption materials, with composition ranging from alkali basalt to trachybasalt, or from subalkaline (tholeiitic) basalt to basaltic andesite formed the Gaema lava plateau and Changbaishan shield volcanic edifice, whereas the Baekdusan stratovolcano edifice and Holocene tephra deposits near the summit of the Cheonji caldera comprises trachytic and rhyolitic compositions. Analysis results revealed bimodal compositions with a lack of 54-62 SiO₂, between the felsic and mafic volcanic rocks. This suggested that magmatic processes occurred at the locations of extensional tectonic settings in the crust. Mafic volcanic rocks were plotted in the field of within-plate volcanic zones or between within-plate alkaline and tholeiite zones on the tectonic discrimination diagram, and it was in good agreement with the results of the TAS diagram. Felsic volcanic rocks were plotted in the field of within-plate granite tectonic settings on discrimination diagrams of granitic rocks. None of the results were plotted in the field of arc islands or continental margin arcs. The primitive mantle-normalized spider diagram did not show negative (-) anomalies of Nb and Ti, which are distinctive characteristics of subduction-related volcanic rocks, but exhibited similar patterns of ocean island basalt. Trace element compositions showed no evidence of, magmatic processes related to subduction zones, indicating that the magmatic processes forming the Baekdusan volcanic field occurred in an intraplate environment. The distribution of shallow earthquakes in this region supports the results. The volcanic rocks of the Baekdusan volcanic field are interpreted as the result of intraplate volcanism originating from the upwelling of mantle material during the Cenozoic era.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.193-202
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• 2012

There were three cycles of igneous activities from the late Paleozoic to early Cenozoic; Permian to Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous to Paleogene. After the beginning of each igneous activity cycle, igneous activity became more frequent until its climax. It is noteworthy that A-type magmatisms are reported from near the ends of the all three igneous activity cycles. In addition, adakitic magmatisms occurred at the beginning of both the Permian-Triassic and the Cretaceous-Paleogene cycles. Most of the igneous activities during the late Paleozoic to early Cenozoic period were subduction-related. Therefore, transitions among beginning, proceeding, and closing of the igneous activity cycles would be intimately related with changes in directions of plate movements. In this context, I suggest following hypotheses. The closing of the Permian-Triassic igneous cycle was possibly a consequence of radical adjustment of plate motion occurred due to continental collision between north and south China blocks. Considering that no appreciable tectonic activities were recognized from the east Asian continent at the closing of the Jurassic igneous cycle, it seems that one of the strong events related with Gondwanaland-breakup and subsequent birth of the new oceans, which might cause sudden adjustments of plate motions. The closing of the Cretaceous-Paleogene igneous cycle seems to be caused as a consequence of the collision between India and Asia continents. Meanwhile, adakitic igneous bodies emplaced at the beginnings of the Permian-Triassic and Cretaceous-Paleogene cycles could be products of slab-melting during the early stages of the subduction.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 1997

Tectonic movements in the Mesozoic were significant events to structural evolution in East China, so far as to West Pacific area. Typical Mesozoic structures were formed and outcropped in Yanshanian mountain area in which Yanshanian movement was named. It is generally considered that the most of outcropping structures in this area were formed in Yanshanian movement. But general studies indicated recently that more than half of the folds were formed in Yanshanian movement. But general studies indicated recently that more than half of the folds were formed and most of fault were in great reverse activity during Indosinian movement in Late-Triassic epoch. The tectonic dynamics setting of Indosinian move ment is a N-S compressive stress system originated by northward movement of Sino-Korean massif and its collison with Xingan-Mongolia fold zone. A series of closed folds (nearly E-W axial trace)and some overturned folds were formed in Indosinian movement and incoaxially superposed by Yanshanian deformation, Faulting characteristcs in the area were thrust faulting caused by compressive stress in Indosinian movement, some of which appear to be positive structural inversion, and oblique-thrust caused by compressive-shear in Yanshanian movement.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.283-292
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• 2002

The Korean peninsula is located at the edge of the East Asian active margin. The seismic activity in the Korean Peninsula is relatively low compared with the neighboring countries China and Japan. According to the available Seismic information, the Korean Peninsula is not totally safe from the Earthquake disaster. Moreover, the area is surrounded by varies tectonic forces which is resulted from the relative movements of the surrounding tectonic plates "Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian and South China". Nowadays South Korea has 65 GPS stations belong to 5 governmental organizations "each organization figure out its own GPS stations for different requirements" In order to minimize the seismic hazard in the Korean Peninsula a program for monitoring the recent crustal movement has been designed considering the uses of the available GPS station "some selected stations from the previously mentioned stations" and the tectonic settings in and around the Korean Peninsula. This program is composed of two main parts, the first part to monitor the crustal deformation around the Korean Peninsula with the collaboration of the surrounding countries "China and Japan" this part is composed of two phases "East Sea Phase and Yellow Sea Phase". These phases will be helpful in determining the deformation parameters in the East Sea and the Yellow Sea respectively While the Second part of this program, is designed to determine the deformation parameters id and around the main faults in the Korean Peninsula and the relative movement between the Korean Peninsula and the Cheju Island. Through out this study the needs of crustal movement center rose up to collect the data from the previously mentioned stations and Organizations in order to use such reliable data in different geodynamical application.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.775-790
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• 2008

This study shows possibility of active fault, throughout analyzing distributional features of tectonic and fluvial geomorphology and mineral composition of fault fracture clay, at Jinbu fault-line system in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province. Fault-line valley was formed remarkably in the upper reaches of Odae River and upper reaches of Yeongok River according along Jinbu fault-line. Landforms show rectilineal distribution at right shore slopes of Odae River in Ganpyeong-ri, southern zone of Jinbu fault-line system, related to the tectonic processes, such as triangular facet, kernbut, kerncol and alluvial fan. Fault fracture clay zones were developed at 5 outcrops($jbf1{\sim}5$), located in kerncol. Particularly, jbf1 fault outcrop, developed at granite saprolite, has obvious fault plane and fault clay composed of illite and laumontite. The Jinbu Fault-line along jbf4-2-3-5 may be formed by regional compressive stress, and jbf1 fault may be suggested a tributary fault of the Jinbu fault-line formed before the late Pleistocene. The vertical displacement of the east and west blocks of the Jinbu Fault-line is estimated in $0.024{\sim}0.027m/ka$.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.9 no.1_2 s.10
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• pp.16-23
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• 2001

The study area in the East Sea is located on the northeastern margins of the Ulleung Basin near the Kita-Yamato Bank. The research area provides the important clue to the development of Miocene basins which are characterized by the normal faults and volcanic activities related to rifting in the continental crust. Kita-Yamato Bank is a small sediment-filled graben which was formed by failed rifting in the Early Miocene. The basins rapidly vary the bathymetry, depth of acoustic basement and thickness of sedimentary layer. The tension in the study area caused the extensional lithospheric deformation before/during the Early Miocene. In consequence, tectonic forces resulted in the depression or subsidence of basement from continental rifting in the Kita-Yamato Bank followed by the opening of the Ulleung Basin, and caused the onset of graben or half-graben structure bounded by large blocked syn-rift faults. Afterward no significant tectonic deformation exists, with the consequence that post-rift normal faults with small heave were formed and reactivated by the resultant forces such as tectonic subsidence, sediment loading and volcanic activity. The Cenozoic sediment layer has a maximum thickness of 1.0 s along the center of the graben or half-graben, which overlies the consolidated acoustic basement. Seismic units V and IV supposed to be syn-rift sedimentary rocks are deformed by both the volcanic activities and numerous basement-involved normal faults induced from extension. In the uppermost layer, slump scars resulted from the slope failure are recognized.