• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.145-153
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• 2013

High-resolution chirp profiles were analyzed to investigate the echo types of near-surface sediments in the Yellow Sea off the Baegryeong Island. On the basis of seafloor morphology and subbottom echo characters, 7 echo types were identified. Flat seafloor with no internal reflectors or moderately to well-developed subbottom reflectors (echo type 1-1 and 1-2) is mainly distributed in the southern part of the study area. Flat seafloor with superposed wavy bedforms (echo type 1-3) is also distributed in the middle part. Mounded seafloor with either smooth surface or superposed bedforms (echo type 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3) occurs in the middle part of the study area. Irregular and eroded seafloor with no subbottom reflectors (echo type 3-1) is present in the northern part of the study area off the Baegryeong Island. According to the distribution pattern and sedimentary facies of echo types, depositional environments can be divided into three distinctive areas: (1) active erosional zone due to strong tidal currents in the northern part; (2) formation of tidal sand ridges in response to tidal currents associated with sea-level rise distributed in the middle part; and (3) transgressive sand sheets in the southern part. Such a depositional pattern, including 7 echo types, in this area reflects depositional process related to the sea-level rise and strong tidal currents during the Holocene transgression.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.340-349
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• 1991

From tidal current measurements on a tidal sand ridge in the Gyeonggi Bay from August 24 to September 29, 1987, tidal current velocities at 1.0 m above bottom (U/SUB 100/) and boundary shear velocities (U/SUB */) are calculated. The mean speeds of tidal current for flood and ebb over the entire period are 56.3 cm/sec and 63.7 cm/sec in mid-depth (9.0 m above bottom), and 43.9 cm/sec and 43.8 cm/sec in near-bottom (1.5 m above bottom). The exponent(P) in "power law", which is generally used for extrapolation from the mid-depth current velocity to that at the top of nationally logarithmic layer, is estimated to be 0.15 in the study area. Using logarithmic velocity profile assumption, mean values of U/SUB 100/ and U/SUB */ are calculated to be 41.4 cm/sec and 2.39 cm/sec, respectively. The mean value of U/SUB */ (2.39 cm/sec) is much higher than the critical shear velicity (U/SUB *c/) of 1.40 cm/sec reported by Choi (1990). and thus, it can be suggested that the most of sands on the tidal sand ridge in the study area are easily eroded and transported for the greater part of tidal period.