• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.276-295
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• 2008

Recent disputes on mountain ranges in Korea have partially been derived from the discordance of the spatial distribution and the extent of mountain ranges presented by different researchers and school textbooks. The lack of consensus on the definition and genesis of mountain ranges adds further confusion. In order to overcome these problems, it is necessary to provide genetically classified mountain range maps for different usages, map scales and educational purposes. This paper first argues that mountain ranges and mountain ridges should separately be used as different conceptual frameworks to explain complex spatial distribution of mountains in Korea. The new mountain range map (sanmaekdo) proposed in this research puts strong emphasis on tectonic movement and denudational processes to explain the spatial distribution of mountains. The new mountain range map has 15 mountain ranges (sanmaek: in total, which are further divided into 7 primary and 8 secondary mountain ranges. The new mountain range map eliminates Jeogyuryeongsanmaek, Myohyangsanmaek, Myeoraksanmaek, and Masingnyeongsanmaek from the existing map, since these have a vague definition and obscure spatial distribution. On the contrary, few new primary mountain ranges (Gilju-Myeongcheonsanmaek, Yangsansanmaek, Jirisanmaek) and secondary mountain ranges (Wolchulsanmaek and Buksubaeksanmaek) are added to the new mountain range map. Other mountain ranges also show a large difference both in their spatial distribution and the extent of mountain ranges, compared with the previous map. This is especially the case for Nangnimsanmaek, Hamgyeongsanmaek, Taebaeksanmaek, and Sobaeksanmaek. A few new names are also assigned to Macheollyeongsanmaek (Baekdusanmaek), Gwangjusanmaek (Hwaaksanmaek), Charyeongsanmaek (Chiaksanmaek), and Horyeongsanmaek (Naejangsanmaek), even though they show similar spatial distribution patterns with the ones in the existing map.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.42 no.3 s.120
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• pp.368-387
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• 2007

In order to explain geomorphological characteristics of the Korean Peninsula, it is necessary to understand the spatial distribution of tectonic movements and its causes. Even though geomorphological elements which might have been formed by tectonic movements(e.g. tilted overall landform, erosion surface, river terrace, marine terraces, etc.) have long been considered as main geomorphological research topics in Korea, the knowledge on the spatial distribution of tectonic movement is still limited. This research aims to identify the spatial distributions of tectonic movement via sequential analyses of Digital Elevation Model(DEM). This paper first developed a set of terrain analysis techniques derived from theoretical interrelationships between tectonic uplifts and landsurface denudation processes. The terrain analyses used in this research assume that elevations along major drainage basin divides might preserve original landsurfaces(psuedo-landsuface) that were formed by tectonic movement with relatively little influence by denudation processes. Psuedo-landsurfaces derived from a DEM show clear spatial distribution patterns with distinct directional alignments. Lines connecting psuedo-landsufaces in a certain direction are defined as psuedo-landsurface axes, which are again categorized into two groups: the first is uplift psuedo-landsurface axes that indicate the axis of landmass uplift; and the second is denudational psuedo-landsurface axes that cross step-shaped pusedo-landsurfaces formed via surface denudation. In total, 13 axes of pusedo-landsurface are identified in the Korean Peninsula, which show distinct direction, length, and relative uplift rate. Judging from the distribution of psudo-landsurfaces and their axes, it is concluded that the Korean Peninsula ran be divided into four tectonic regions, which are named as the Northern Tectonic Region, Center Tectonic Region, Southern Tectonic Region, and East Sea Tectonic Region, respectively. The Northern Tectonic Region had experienced a regional uplift centered at the Kaema plateau, and the rate of uplift gradually decreased toward southern, western and eastern directions. The Center Tectonic Region shows an arch-shaped uplift. Its uplift rate is the highest along the East Sea and the rate decreases towards the Yellow sea. The Southern Tectonic Region shows an asymmetric uplift centered a line connecting Dukyu and Jiri Mountains in the middle of the region. The eastern side of the Southern Regions shows higher uplift rate than that of the western side. The East Sea Tectonic Region includes south-eastern coastal area of the peninsula and Gilju-Myeongchun Jigudae, which shows relatively recent tectonic movements in Korea. Since this research visualizes the spatial heterogeneity of long-term tenonic movement in the Korean peninsula, this would provide valuable basic information on long-term and regional differences of geomorphological evolutionary processes and regional geomorphological differences of the Korean Peninsula.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.81-98
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• 2012

This research aims 1) to analyse the spatial occurrence of red soils, in Korea 2) to predict their spatial distribution using terrain analyses, and 3) to interpret results from the perspective of pedogeomorphological processes. Red soils (often called red-yellow soils) in Korea are frequently found on welldrained plains and gently sloping areas. These soils are widely believed paleo-soils that were formed under hot and humid climatic conditions in the past. The spatial distribution of red soils was derived from the soil map of Korea, and a DEM based soil prediction was developed, based on a continuity equation to depict water and material flows over the landscape. About 64.5% of the red soil occurrence can be explained by the prediction. Close examinations between surveyed and predicted red soil maps show few distinctive spatial features. Granitic erosional plains at the inland of Korea show comparatively low occurrence of red soils, which might indicate active geomorphological processes within the basins. The occurrence of red soils at limestone areas is more abundant than that of the predicted, indicating the influence of parent materials on the formation of red soils. At and around lava plateau at Cheulwon and Youncheon, the occurrence of red soils is underestimated, which might partly be explained by the existence of loess-like surface deposits. There are also distinctive difference of prediction results between northern and southern parts of Korea (divided by a line between Seosan and Pohang). The results of this research calls for more detailed field-based investigations to understand forming processes of red soils, focusing on the spatial heterogeneity of pedological processes, the influence of parent materials, and difference in uplift patterns of the Korean peninsula.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.627-636
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• 2012

In the Obongri-Goseong area of Gangwondo, South Korea, there are six densely distributed volcanic edifices i.e., Duibaejae, Oeumsan, Galmibong, 249 m height, 166 m height, and 102 m height, and two other volcanic edifices including Goseongsan and Unbongsan volcanic edifice that are separately located from a distance. A previously undiscovered 249m volcanic edifice in Obongri was found in this investigation, and the six volcanic edifices distributed in Obongri will be referred to as the Obongri volcanic edifice group. Volcanic edifices in this area were interpreted by other researchers as being volcanic plug, plug dome, and cylindrical volcanic pipe type edifices. The aim of this study is to investigate the aspect of volcanic activity in the Obongri-Goseong area and the formation of volcanic edifices by examining of the shape of volcanic edifices, stratigraphy, and characterization of volcanic products. All the volcanic edifices in the area are composed of basaltic rocks on the Mesozoic granite basement, and the prevalence of the dome shape increased towards the upper part of the mountain. Three volcanic edifices (Duibaejae, 166 m height, 102 m height) include intercalated pyroclastic deposits between the basaltic rocks and the basement. The pyroclastic deposit in the Duibaejae volcanic edifice is composed of quartz, feldspar, granite fragments originated from the basement, and scoria fragments originated from the volcanic eruption. In addition to angular olivine, plagioclase, and pyroxene xenocrysts, all the basaltic rocks contained mantle xenolith, gabbroic xenolith originated from the lower crust, and granitic xenolith originated from the basement. This fact indicates that magma rapidly rose to the surface and that the volcanic activity was explosive. It is also interpreted that, as the basaltic magma became highly viscous due to the large amount of xenocrysts, the erupted magma formed a dome structure on the surface. The original dome structure was then severely eroded out leaving a plug dome formation on the basement.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.343-363
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• 2023

Sulawesi island, as a global producer of nickel resources, is leading the rapid growth of nickel industry of Indonesia. Nickel laterite deposits in Sulawesi was formed by lateritization of the world-scale East Sulawesi Ophiolite (ESO) under the active tectonic setting and tropical rainforest climate. In this paper, exploration cases for nickel laterite deposits in five regions of Sulawesi are reported. Regional characteristics on nickel laterite deposits in Sulawesi are understood based on various exploration activities such as outcrop, trench and pit survey, petrological observation, geochemical analysis, and interpretation of drilling data, etc.. In the northeastern part of 'Southeast-Arm', which is a strategic location for nickel industry of Indonesia, ESO is extensively exposed to the surface. In the Morombo and Morowali regions, typical high-grade saprolite-type orebodies with a thickness of 10 to 20 m occur. The cases showed that topographic relief tends to regulate Ni-grade distribution and orebody thickness, and that high grade intervals tend to occur in places where joints and garnierite veins are dense. In the Tinanggea and South Palangga regions in the southern part of the Southeast-Arm, overburden composed of Neogene to Quaternary deposits is a major factor affecting the preservation and profitability of nickel laterite deposits. Despite the overburden, high-grade saprolite-type orebodies composed of Ni-bearing serpentine with garnierite veins occur in a thickness of around 10 m to secure economic feasibility. In contrast, in the Ampana region in the northern part of 'East-Arm', low-grade nickel laterite deposits with immature laterite profile was identified, which is thought to be the result of active denudation due to tectonic uplift. Exploration cases in this paper will help to understand characteristics and controlling factors on nickel laterite deposits in Sulawesi, Indonesia.