• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.620-642
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• 2006

The Moho structure and its deformation in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula were estimated using gravity and topography data. Gravity signals from the upper and lower crust were separated using a filter that was computed from isostacy and elastic thickness. The result of this study shows three characteristic features of the Moho deformation. First, the Moho folding structure is parallel to SKTL (the South Korean Tectonic Line), which indicates positive association with the collision of the Yeongnam and Gyeonggi Massifs and repeated compression afterwards. In contrast, noticeable deformation of the Moho was not observed along the Imjingang Belt, which is interpreted as another continental collisional belt in the Korean Peninsula. Second, the Moho beneath the Gyeongsang Basin has remarkably risen; this seems to be the result from both the collisional compression and buoyancy caused by magmatic underplating. Third, the Moho deformation is shallowest in the east of the Taebaek Mountains and deepens toward the west, consistent with the topographic characteristic of the Korean Peninsula of "high east and low west". It can be interpreted as the results of the opening of the East Sea and Ulleung Basin. A tectonic explanation for this could be the ascent of the mantle induced by continental rifting and horizontal extension at the early stage of the opening of the East Sea. The Moho deformation model computed in this study correlates well with the earthquake distribution and crustal movement measured by GPS. We suggest that the compression along the SKTL is still exerted, consequently, the Moho deformation is active, although it may be weak.