• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.103-118
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• 2004

In Cheongsong area, very rare spherulitic rhyolites both in Korea and foreign countries occur as dykes showing various types. The spherulites in them represent an undercooling caused by very fast cooling of the dykes in a shallow depth near to the surface and the variety of types were resulted from the difference of relative cooling rate. Cheongsong spherulitic rhyolites can be classified into five types; radiated simple spherulite, layered simple spherulite, layered multiple spherulite, radiated-layered multiple spherulite, radiating layered multiple spherulite. Radiated simple and radiating layered multiple spherulites formed by diffusion current caused by undercooling related to very fast cooling. On the other hand, layered multiple spherulites formed by relatively slow diffusion as a Liesegang ring during relatively slow cooling. If the cooling rate is between the two cases, layered simple spherulites formed. This interpretation indicates that Chrysanthemum, Dandelion, Dahlia and Sunflower types which are included in radiated simple or radiating layered multiple spherulites formed in the dykes with the fastest cooling rate in Cheongsong area while Peony, Rose and Innominate types classified as layered multiple spherulite formed in the dykes with the relatively slowest cooling rate. At the cooling rate between them, Apricot type spherulite formed. The K-Ar age-dating for Cheongsong spherulitic rhyolites indicate them to be formed between 48 and 50 Ma. The Cheongsong rhyolites are very valuable for research and preservation because of their rarity, beauty and diversity.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.219-233
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• 2013

Spherulitic rhyolite occur as part of ring dyke which showing a vertical flowage of $60^{\circ}{\sim}90^{\circ}$, of the Jangsan cauldron was studied. The spherulites range in diameter from a few millimeters to 2.8 centimeters or more, and average 5~10 millimeters. It belongs to radiated simple spherulite type. They consist of a core of moderate brown dense material encased by a thin crust, a few millimeters thick at most of white grey material. The spherulites frequently have a radiating fibrous structure, which are thought to have formed as a consequence of rapid mineral growth caused by very fast cooling of the dykes in shallow depth near the surface. EPMA examination of the concentric-zoned core of spherulites show that they are mainly composed of cryptocrystalline-fibrous intergrowth of silica minerals and alkali feldspars which have $SiO_2$ 82% or more, $Al_2O_3$ 7~10%, $Na_2O+K_2O$ less than 8%. The feldspar compositions of the spherulites lie essentially within the sanidine field. XRD examination show that spherulites are mainly composed of quartz, sanidine, albite with minor mica, kaolinite and chlorite. According to X-ray mapping, the spherulites are enriched in $SiO_2$ in the core and partly enriched $Na_2O$ or $K_2O$, $Al_2O_3$ in the shell that reflect in compositional zoning with increasing spherulitic devitrification. The feathery and non-equant crystal shapes of spherulites from rhyolite dyke of Jangsan cauldron suggest that they may have formed during the rapid cooling of dyke under the static state, or faster velocity of devitrification from glassy materials than movement velocity of the magma intrusion. The spherulitic rhyolite originated from high-silica(75.4~75.7 wt.%) rhyolite magma.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.341-350
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• 2015

This study is to explore geosites considering the geological characteristics in Gochang-gun and to investigate a possibility of being designated as the national geopark of Korea. In this study, the geosites within Gochang-gun are explored through literature search and field work. The results indicate that seven of the geosites in the Seonunsan area are relevant as potential national geopark, including Jinheunggul, Dosolam Maebulsang, Youngmungul, Nakjodae and Cheonmabong, Byungbawi, spherulitic rhyolite, and Dolmen site. In addition, there are other areas that have valus in terms of geological and educational aspect, including Hajeon mud flat and Myoungsasipri beach. The results of study imply that if various educational programs for the geotourism are properly developed, the Gochang-gun area has potential to be designated as the national geopark of Korea.