Stratigraphy and Tectonics of Okcheon System in the Area between Chungju and Munkyeong

충주문경간(忠州聞慶間)의 옥천계(沃川系)의 층서(層序)와 구조(構造)

Some of geologists in Korea recently postlated that Okchon system previously known to be precambrian age was the metamorphosed sediments of post-Chosen (Ordovician and pre-Kyeongsang (late Jurassic to Cretaceous) periods, or even definitely of Triassic period simply on the basis of the fact that Okcheon system overlies the Great Limestone series of Chosen system of Camber-ordovician age, and of other few assumptions of minor importance. As a result of such correlation, thick series of metasediments and Okcheon system of unknown age were established in this particular region and vaguely correlated to Paleozoic and Mesozoic sediments. Recent study done by the author reveled that: 1) only the upper Okcheon bed of S. Nakamura was true Okcheon system, and the middle and lower Okcheon beds were excluded, because they were correlated to Cambrian and Permian sediments resfectively, 2) Sangnaeri, Seochangri, and rengam formations of unknown age, and Baekhwasan, Jobong, and Ihwaryeong formations of Okcheon system of also unknown age were the metamorphosed Yangdeok system of Cambrian age, all of these formations were differentiated by the previous workers and were equivalent to the middle Okcheon system of S. Nakamure, and. 3) These metamorphosed Yangdeok system overlaid apparently the Great Limestone series in forms of overthrust and klippe which were produced by the orogeny took place during post-Daedong and pre-Kyeongsang period (probably middle to the Jurassic). The Sobaeksan Range, folded mountain Chains was also formed by this orogeny. Thus, Okcheon system newly defined by the author is precambrain age and consists in ascending order of Kemyenogsan, Hyangsan dolomite, and Daehangsan quartzite formation which were previously classified into metasediments of unknown age, and Munjuri, and Hwangkanri, formations which were differentiated into Okcheon system unknown age by the previous workers, but are of reversed sequence. Myeongori and Bukrori formations of Okcheon System are regard by the author as part of Hwangkanri formation. Few other assumption of minor important taken by the previous workers as their positive evidences are carefully explained that they were misinterpreted.