A Study on the Holocene Environments of the Jemin Plain in Gongju, Chungnam Province

충남 공주 제민평야의 홀로세 환경연구

In this study, stable carbon isotopic analysis (22 specimens) and magnetic susceptibility analysis (23 specimens) were conducted out on the specimens collected from two points (trench DT1, DT2) in the floodplain of Jemincheon(hereinafter the Jemin plain) to reconstruct the Holocene Environments (Period I, Period II, Period III) of the Jemin plain in Gongju, Chungnam. The results were as follows: In Period I (approximately 7,480~4,940 yrs B.P.) and especially around 7,480~7,320 yrs B.P., it was cool-dry and there were two minor climate fluctuations. This period received a continuous flow of sediments, rather than massive amounts of sediments due to abrupt flooding, and therefore, there was almost no soilization process. Period II(approximately 4,940~2,600 yrs B.P.) was also relatively cool-dry. However, in Period II b, unlike I, the minor climate fluctuations were less pronounced. In this period, flooding and desiccation repeated, inducing soilization processes especially around 3,160 yrs B.P. In Stage III (~360 yrs B.P.), it was warm and humid compared to II b. However, in III a, there was no inflow of sediments due to irregular flooding, and in fact, soilization process was more manifested than during II b due to the impact of the desiccation environment. However, there were some mass movements from Bonghwang Mt. (a.s.l. 147m) caused by heavy rains and typhoon during III b (approximately 360 yrs B.P.), thus moving a large amount of debris (i.e. gravel), which resulted in sedimentation.