• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.19-35
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• 1977

The study area is located in between Hacheonri and Weolgulri, Jecheon-gun where the formations of Okcheon group and Chosun group come in contact and the stratigraphy and geological age of the Okcheon group have been debated among previous workers. The dolomitic limestone which distributed at Cheongam and Dumusil is clarified as the Hyangsanri dolomite formation and the quartzite distributed at Cheongam and Howeunri as Taehyangsan quartzite formation. The newly named Soorumsan schist interbedded in the Great Limestone Series was previously classified Seochangri formation. It is also classified that the formation formerly named as Seochangri was divided into newly named Manji schist which seems to be correlated to Kemyeongsan and Munjuri formation. The formation formerly named as Buknori is clarified as Hwanggangri formation. The Samtaesan formation has been clarified as the lower and upper limestone beds which belong to the Great Limestone Series. The area divided into two groups, that is, Okcheon system of Pre-cambrian age occupies western part and the Great Limestone Series of Chosun system of Cambro-Ordovician age eastern part of this area. Okcheon system consists in ascending order of Manji schist, Hyangsanri dolomite, Taehyangsan quartzite, Munjuri schist, and Hwanggangri formation of meta-tillite. The Great Limestone Series of Chosun group consists in ascending order of lower limestone, Soorumsan schist, Hoosanri quartzite and upper limestone formations. Busan augen gneiss seems to be igneous origin. Unmetamorphosed shale interbed can be traced in the Soorumsan schist. Previous study (Kims, 1974) reveals that meta-volcanic rocks are distributed from south to north along contact zone of the Okcheon and Chosun groups, and it has been confirmed that the meta-volcanics crop out continuously from the adjacent southern quardrangle into the southern part of the area studied, intruding along the fault zone between the Okcheon and Chosun groups which seems to be upthrust as in the area south. This evidence coincides with Kims' work (1974) which states that the Precambrian Okcheon group is largely overturned and thrusted over the Chosun group.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.107-118
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• 2003

The axial seamount basalts in the P3 segment of the Phoenix Ridge were obtained from dredging and the K-Ar age determination and whole-rock geochemical analyses have been done for understanding their origin. The K-Ar ages for PRS basalts sampled from 1,000m below sea level are 2.6-2.2 Ma and those for PR3 basalts from 800m are 1.6-1.5 Ma. The younger ages towards the crest of the seamount indicate that this submarine volcano has been grown by central eruptions. The youngest age of about 1.5 Ma for PR3 basalts corresponds to the final eruption period of this volcano. The seamount basalts contain small amounts of normative quartz and olivine. They have transitional geochemical nature between alkaline- and subalkaline-series basalts. Trace and rare earth elements compositions of the seamount basalts are very similar to those of ocean island basalts (OIB), and indicate that this seamount has been formed by a hotspot activity, not in association with a seafloor spreading. The melting degree from the source has decreased with time, and finally the volcanic activity has stopped when the basaltic magma reached mild alkaline composition.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.337-345
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• 2003

Surficial sediments from the northern coastal area of Jeju Island, southeastern Yellow Sea (South Sea of Korea) were analyzed for grain-size texture, some geochemical characteristics and clay mineralogy in order to assess their provenance. Rare-earth element compositions and some geochemical discrimination diagrams, especially of Ti/Al, Nb/Al and Rb/Al ratios, were revealed to be useful indices for identifying the origin of sediments. These indices, together with clay mineral compositions, suggest that the coarse-grained sediments originate from the volcanic rocks of Jeju Island, whereas the fine-grained sediments are derived from Chinese rivers, especially the Changjiang River. The oceanic circulation pattern and the physical-chemical properties of seawater in the Yellow and East China seal support the possibility that the fine-pained Changjiang (Yangtze River) sediments can reach the coastal area of Jeju Island (southeastern Yellow Sea).

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.183-201
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• 1975

The south and southwestern parts of Jeonra-namdo has been known as an alunite province in Korea. The alunite deposits investigated for the present study are Okmaisan, Seongsam, Bugog, Gasado south, Gasado north, Jangsando, Dogcheon and Jungyongri deposits. The main purpose of this study is to depict the genetical origin of the alunite deposits. The rocks distributed in the areas mentioned above consist chiefly of rhyolitic tuff, breccia tuff and andesitic tuff of Cretaceous age which represent different episodes of volcanic activities during Cretaceous epoch. The attitude of bedding of the tuffaceous rocks varies from place to place but generally dips very gently. The alunite deposits are embedded mostly in the rhyolitic tuff so that they appear as layered deposits, this occurrence may be the result of stratigraphic and lithologic controls. The result of this study can be summarized as below. The mineral sequence studied by the mineral paragenesis and the result of the spectrograph anlyses is such that (1) alunite was formed at first and pyrophyllite was nearly contemporaneous with alunite but pyrophyllite formation can be recognized as a secondary mineralization products, (2) kaoline was succeeded to form later and hematite finally deposited, and (3) pyrite was deposited from the begining to the end of the above mineralization period. The compositional change of host rocks is such that CaO, $SiO_2$ and $Na_2O$ were largely removed from the parent rocks and some $Al_2O_3$ and $SO_3$ were transported by the solution so as to enrich the rocks. The sequencial process of such mineralization has resulted in forming those distinguish mineral zones; alunite, kaoline, pyrophyllite, silicifide and sulphide zone which manifest irregular shape. These deposits were formed by hydrothermal solution which was possibly low temperature and contained sulphuric acid originated from $H_2S$ and $SO_2$ gases.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.283-298
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• 2016

Sangumburi crater, designated as Natural Monument No. 63, recognized as a maar, but precise geological mapping and geological characteristics in the field indicate that Sangumburi crater is a pit crater. Two stages of volcanic activities created Sangumburi pit crater. Lava flow (aphanitic pyroxene basalt I) and associated pyroclastic deposit (pyroclast I), composed of ash and lapilli, were formed at the stage 1. In the stage 2, lava flow (feldspar olivine basalt) was overlain by lava flow (aphanitic pyroxene basalt II) and associated pyroclastic deposit (pyroclast II), composed of agglomerate. Sangumburi pit crater formed at $0.073{\pm}0.036Ma$, determined by Ar-Ar age dating for the feldspar olivine basalt at the stage 2. It is not clear the preferred migration direction of subsurface magma after Sangumburi pit crater formed.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.401-414
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• 2017

Vegetation and landscape characteristics at the three highest summits of Republic of Korea, i.e. Seoraksan, Jirisan and Hallasan, are analyzed on the basis of species composition, physiognomy, vegetation distribution and structure of alpine plants, along with landform, geology, soil and habitat conditions. Dominant high mountain plants at three alpine and subalpine belts contain deciduous broadleaved shrub, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum (31.6%), and evergreen coniferous small tree, Pinus pumila (26.3%) at Seoraksan, deciduous broadleaved tree, Betula ermanii (35.3%), evergreen coniferous tree, Picea jezoensis (23.5%) at Jirisan, and evergreen coniferous tree, Abies koreana (22.6%), deciduous broadleaved shrub, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum, and Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii (19.4%) at Hallasan, respectively. Presence of diverse landscapes at the peak of Seoraksan, such as shrubland, grassland, dry land along with rocky areas, and open land may be the result of hostile local climate and geology. High proportion of grassland and wetland at the top of Jirisan may related to gneiss-based gentle topography and well developed soil deposits, which are beneficial to keep the moisture content high. Occurrence of grassland, shrubland, dry land, conifer vegetation, and rocky area at the summit of Hallasan may due to higher elevation, unique local climate, as well as volcanic origin geology and soil substrates. Presences of diverse boreal plant species with various physiognomy at alpine and subalpine belts, and wide range of landscapes, including rocky, grassland, shrubland, wetland, and conifer woodland, provide decisive clues to understand the natural history of Korea, and can be employed as an relevant environmental indicator of biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.51-61
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• 2009

Objective: Much has been known that the systematical theory of acupuncture was developed from stone needle as therapeutic tools for orthopedic diseases in ancient times. Stone needle is very old therapeutic method like moxibustion and has been recognized that it was developed since the Stone Age in China so far. In the present study, it was examined for the origination and formation of stone needle based on stone relics of the Stone Age in Korean Peninsular, the medical and geographical literatures. Materials and methods: The facts of stone needle was examined and arranged on the ancient medical or geographical literatures such as The Yellow Emperor's Canon Internal Medicine, Shanhaijing as an ancient geographical book, etc. The clan societies and family related to an origination of stone needle was chased together with their cultural characteristics and origination. The stone relics which have been digged out of historic sites in the North-East Asia were examined for a relevance to stone needle. Results: In The Yellow Emperor's Canon Internal Medicine, it was referred to the stone needle that originated from a fishery zone related to the east coast district in North-East Asia. Through the examination of Shan Hai Jing as an ancient geographical book and its historical reviews, a Go-yi clan society who keep Go's family tree dealt well with the stone needle and jewels including jade in the North-East Asia before the publication periods of The Yellow Emperor's Canon Internal Medicine, and is comprised in the culture of Dong-yi clan society but not the Chinese culture. The obsidian stones, which have been digged out of historical sites in the North-East Asia since the Stone Age, are originated from volcanic areas combined with seashore that seems to be Baekdu mountain district in Korea and Kyushu district in Japan. Furthermore, obsidian stone tools which were found out at Laodung peninsula and the Korean peninsula are archeologically similar to the stone needle with regards to the shape, size and dual-use. In addition, specific obsidian stone tools have been used in orthopedic surgery as well-crafted obsidian blades have a cutting edge up to five times sharper than high-quality steel surgical scalpels. Conclusion: The origin of obsidian stone needle is well corresponded to the explanation about that of the stone needle. It is suggested that the stone needle which influenced in completion of acupuncture and Meridian theory in China seems to be an obsidian stone, and distribution of obsidian stone needle has been closely connected to Dong-yi clan society which are lived in the North-East Asia including Baekdu-mountain district.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.171-180
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• 2009

Based on the constituent analysis of sediments near Dok Island, the origin and sedimentary facies were Investigated. The sediments are mainly from originated from volcanic and volcaniclastic rock fragments derived from Dok Island and carbonate sediments formed by a variety of shallow-dwelling organisms that secreted calcareous skeletons. Carbonate producers include mollusks (bivalves and gastropods), encrusting & branching bryozoans, encrusting & segmented red algae, worm tubes, barnacles, diatoms, sponge spicules and echinoderm fragments. The distribution and relative amount of these constituents are basically dependent upon water depth and grain size even though local variations can be observed within the same depth interval. Five sedimentary facies can be divided: nearshore facies (<20 m), neritic facies ($20{\sim}100m$), upper transitional facies ($100{\sim}200m$), lower transitional facies ($200{\sim}700m$), and hemipelagic facies (>700 m). The sediments that were sampled below the water depth of 2,000 m still contain a significant amount of carbonates (ca. $10{\sim}20%$), implying that the carbonate compensation depth in the East Sea may well exceed this water depth.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 1993

In the present study, three representative hydrothermal clay deposits, named the Seongsan, Ogmaesan and Haenam deposits, were selected for oxygen and hydrogen isotope studies. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of quartz, sericite, alunite and kaolin minerals from Seongsan, Ogmaesan, Haenam deposits and surrounded rocks of clay deposits have been measured. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of quartz, kaolin, sericite and alunite in the Seongsan mine are +8.4 to +11.1‰, +3.6 to 5.4‰, +4.8 to +5.8‰ and + 3.0 to +6.6‰, respectively. In the Ogmaesan mine, the ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of quartz, kaolin, sericite and alunite are +8.0 to +13.6‰, +2.8 to +6.7‰, +4.8 to +8.4‰ and +0.9 to +2.4‰, respectively. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of the Haenam mine range from +7.9 to +10.1‰ for quartz and from +4.5 to +6.5‰ for sericite. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of the whole-rocks range from + 3.0 to + 7.8‰ for the granitic rocks. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of the whole-rocks range from + 3.2 to + 10.7‰ for the volcanic rocks. The 8D values of kaolin, sericite and alunite in the Seongsan mine are -78 to -86‰, -71 to -90‰ and -43 to -77‰, respectively. In the Ogmaesan mine, the ${\delta}D$ values of kaolin, sericite and alunite are -73 to -80‰, -74 to -88‰ and -57 to -98‰, respectively. The ${\delta}D$ values of the Haenam mine range from -76 to -85‰ for sericite. The ${\delta}D$ values of the whole-rocks range from -77 to -105‰ for the granitic rocks. The ${\delta}D$ values of the wholerocks range from -76 to -100‰ for the volcanic rocks. The main result obtained oxygen and hydrogen isotope data can lead to the following interpretations on the origin of hydrothermal fluids in the clay deposits: Through the oxygen isotopic study, the formation temperature of the clay deposits was estimated from the coexisting minerals such as quartz-kaolin minerals and -sericite. Formation temperature of the acidic alteration zone is 165 to $280^{\circ}C$ in the Seongsan deposits, 175 to $250^{\circ}C$ in the Ogmaesan deposits and 250 to $350^{\circ}C$ in the Haenam deposits. Three clay deposits has been formed by magmatic water mixed with meteoric water. Furthermore, from this isotopic data, it is clarified that kaolin minerals and alunite are hypogene in origin, and has been formed by oxidation of hydrogen sulfide in the steam-heated environment, and that alunite has been produced in the spectacular solfataric alteration observed at the surface of some present-day hydrothermal systems. Oxidation of the $H_2S$ is thought to be generated when the vapor phase generated by boiling of the deep-seated water under the water table.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.123-154
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• 1982

Petrochemical, K-Ar dating, Sand Rb/Sr isotopes, metallogenic zoning, paleomagnetic and geotectonic studies of the Gyongsang basin were carried out to examine applicability of plate tectonics to the post-late Cretaceous igneous activity and metallogeny in the southeastern part of Korean Peninsula. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Bulgugsa granitic rocks range from granite to adamellite, whose Q-Ab-Or triangular diagram indicates that the depth and pressure at which the magma consolidated increase from coast to inland varying from 6 km, 0.5-3.3 kb in the coastal area to 17 km, 0.5-10 kb in the inland area. 2. The volcanic rocks in Gyongsang basin range from andesitic to basaltic rocks, and the basaltic rocks are generally tholeiitic in the coastal area and alkali basalt in the inland area. 3. The volcanic rocks of the area have the initial ratio of Sr^{87}/Sr^{86} varying from 0.706 to 0.707 which suggests a continental origin; the ratio of Rb/Sr changing from 0.079-0.157 in the coastal area to 0.021-0.034 in the inland area suggests that the volcanism is getting younger toward coastal side, which may indicate a retreat in stage of differentiation if they were derived from a same magma. The K_2O/SiO_2 (60%) increases from about 1.0 in the coastal area to about 3.0 in the inland area, which may suggest an increase indepth of the Benioff zone, if existed, toward inland side. 4. The K-Ar ages of volcanic rocks were measured to be 79.4 m.y. near Daegu, and 61.7 m.y. near Busan indicating a southeastward decrease in age. The ages of plutonic rocks also decrease toward the same direction with 73 m.y. near Daegu, and 58 m.y. near Busan, so that the volcanism predated the plutonism by 6 m.y. in the continental interior and 4 m.y. along the coast. Such igneous activities provide a positive evidence for an applicability of plate tectonics to this area. 5. Sulfur isotope analyses of sulfide minerals from 8 mines revealed that these deposits were genetically connected with the spacially associated ingeous rocks showing relatively narrow range of ${\delta}^{34}S$ values (-0.9‰ to +7.5‰ except for +13.3 from Mulgum Mine). A sequence of metallogenic zones from the coast to the inland is delineated to be in the order of Fe-Cu zone, Cu-Pb-Zn zone, and W-Mo zone. A few porphyry type copper deposits are found in the Fe-Cu zone. These two facts enable the sequence to be comparable with that of Andean type in South America. 6. The VGP's of Cretaceous and post Cretaceous rocks from Korea are located near the ones($71^{\circ}N$, $180^{\circ}E$ and $90^{\circ}N$, $110^{\circ}E$) obtained from continents of northern hemisphere. This suggests that the Korean peninsula has been stable tectonically since Cretaceous, belonging to the Eurasian continent. 7. Different polar wandering path between Korean peninsula and Japanese islands delineates that there has been some relative movement between them. 8. The variational feature of declination of NRM toward northwestern inland side from southeastern extremity of Korean peninsula suggests that the age of rocks becomes older toward inland side. 9. The geological structure(mainly faults) and trends of lineaments interpreted from the Landsat imagery reveal that NNE-, NWW- and NEE-trends are predominant in the decreasing order of intensity. 10. The NNE-trending structures were originated by tensional and/or compressional forces, the directions of which were parallel and perpendicular respectively to the subduction boundary of the Kula plate during about 90 m.y. B.P. The NWW-trending structures were originated as shear fractures by the same compressional forces. The NEE-trending structures are considered to be priginated as tension fractures parallel to the subduction boundary of the Kula plate during about 70 m.y. B.P. when Japanese islands had drifted toward southeast leaving the Sea of Japan behind. It was clearly demonstrated by many authors that the drifting of Japanese islands was accompanied with a rotational movement of a clock-wise direction, so that it is inferred that subduction boundary had changed from NNE- to NEE-direction. A number of facts and features mentioned above provide a suite of positive evidences enabling application of plate tectonics to the late Cretaceous-early Tertiary igneous activity and metallogeny in the area. Synthesizing these facts, an arc-trench system of continental margin-type is adopted by reconstructing paleogeographic models for the evolution of Korean peninsula and Japan islands. The models involve an extention mechanism behind the are(proto-Japan), by which proto-Japan as of northeastern continuation of Gyongsang zone has been drifted rotationally toward southeast. The zone of igneous activity has also been migrated from the inland in late-Cretaceous to the peninsula margin and southwestern Japan in Tertiary.