Sediments of the Continental Shelf off the Southern Coasts of Korea

Over 40 bottom sediment samples were collected from the southern sea of Korea. The detailed textural characteristic of the sediments, percent calcium carbonate and heavy and light mineralogy were determined. Seaward of these sediments is a nearly broad belt of sandy sediments. In a broad outline it is considered to constitute a near-shore deposits left from a Pleistocene time of eustatically lowered level of sea water, because the sediments on the outer half of the continental shelf are much coarser than that nearer shore. The carbonate content increases strongly to the southeast and northwest of Cheju Island. It is believed that the high calcium carbonate content can be largely attributed to the availability of carbonate materials.