• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.137-151
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• 2009

Synthetic analyses of field data, including rock facies, contact relationships, petrography, structural elements, and etc., and previous geochemical and absolute age data of the Tertiary Churyeong Breccia and its surrounding volcanics in the Gyeongju city, Korea, have led to the following results. (1) The Tertiary rocks are divided into the dacitic tuffs, Churyeong Breccia, and andesitic rocks in ascending order. The dacitic tuffs are unconformably overlain by the Churyeong Breccia which is intruded by or conformably overlain by the andesitic rocks. (2) The dacitic tuffs are correlated with the Paleocene${\sim}$Eocene Wangsan dacitic volcanics, while the Churyeong Breccia and andesitic rocks are correlated with the early Early Miocene Andongri Formation and Yongdongri Tuffs in the Waeup Basin, respectively. (3) The Churyeong Breccia accumulated rapidly in the NE-trending graben about 1.5 km in width during the crustal extension in the NW-SE direction due to the East Sea opening. (4) Dacitic${\sim}$andesitic volcanism and crustal extension were active during the early Early Miocene times in SE Korean peninsula. During the deposition the Churyeong Breccia, especially, the volcanism ceased for some time, but the active normal faulting led to the formation of grabens in places.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.2 no.2 s.3
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• pp.91-99
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• 1994

In the Heunghae area, genetic relationships among sedimentary facies, lithology, stratigraphy and diagenetic mineral facies of the Yeonil Group, are discussed. Conglomerate and sandstone of lower to middle parts of the Yeonil Group contain considerable amounts of volcaniclastic sediments, which were derived from the Tertiary volcanics exposed in the western margins of the sedimentary basin. A new stratigraphic division of the Yeonil Group into the Chunbuk and Pohang Formations is proposed on the basis of sedimentary facies, lithologic characteristics including volcaniclastic feature, and the presence of a key bed of siliceous mudstone overlying the Chunbuk Formation. Diagenetic mineral facies largely depend on the lithology and composition of sediments. Heulandite, smectite, calcite, and opal-CT are commonly found as diagenetic minerals in the Yeonil Group. Among these authigenic minerals, heulandite occurs as the coarse- grained main cement in conglomerates and sandstones of the Chunbuk Formation. Formation of the zeolite cement is favored by partial volcaniclastic lithology of the Chunbuk Formation. Smectite composition and diagenetic mineral facies such as heulandite and opal-CT may reflect that the Yeoil Group has undergone a shallow rial temperature ranging $40{\~}60^{\circ}C$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-25
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• 1981

This paper is a literature review on the following subjects: 1) relationships between porphyry molybdenum and copper systems; 2) hydrothermal environments of molybdenite depositions; 3) genetic significance of molybdenite polyforms; and 4) trace element patterns in molybdenite useful as an exploration guide. The geologic similarities between porphyry molybdenum (e. g. Climax) and porphyry copper (e. g. Bingham) systems exist, and similar techniques can be applied for exploring deposits of either type. Several features suggest that tungsten and tin may form porphyry-like systems (i. e. lowgrade, large tonnage). The clustering of porphyry-like systems in geophysically distinctive batholithic provinces is well documented and provides larger targets for reconnaissance exploration. Geochemical studies suggest that uranium should often occur in close proximity to molybdenum ores in igneous as well as sedimentary environments.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.529-541
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• 1996

The granitic rocks, so called Masanite, characterized by the micrographic, mylmekitic and perthitic textures, and zonal structure of the plagioclase in the Masan, Changwon and Jinhae areas belong to normal granite and granodiorite based on the modal analysis. These petrographic features strongly suggest the shallow emplacement of the plutons which are defined a typical calc-alkaline suite and I-type granitoids. The pressures of emplacement of the granitic plutons using the amphibole geobarometer were calculated to be 1.2kbar in the Masan area and 1.4kbar in the Changwon area. Their amphibole-plagioclase equilibrium temperatures were obtained to be $638^{\circ}C$ for the former ones and $724^{\circ}C$ for the latter. Homogenization temperatures and salinities for the type HI and IV fluid inclusions in quartz range from 298 to $541^{\circ}C$ (av. $425^{\circ}C$), and 10.5 to 34.6 wt.% NaCl (av. 28.2 wt.% NaCl), respectively. Gas compositions of the granitic rocks with fairly high $CO_2$ concentration relative to CH, correspond to the magnetite series granite of the mantle source. The terminology of the Masanite is not recommended usage. Because it is hard to discriminate in terms of petrological and petrogenetical characteristics between the Masanite and the Bulguksa granites in the Kyeongsang basin.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.2 no.2 s.3
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• pp.51-57
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• 1994

Analysis of the aeromagnetic data aquired by US Navy in the year 1969 permits us to predict a new sedimentary basin, Heugsan Basin, south of the known Gunsan Basin in Block Ⅱ. The basin appears to consist of three sub-basins trending NNW-SSE. The results of our analysis provide not only an independent assessment of the Gunsan Basin, but also new important information on the tectonic origin and mechanism for the two basins as well as for the entire region. The basin forming tectonic style is interpreted as rhombochasm associated with double overstepped left-lateral wrench faults. From the magnetic evidence, a few NE-SW trending major onshore faults are extended to the study area. We also interpreted the nature of the faults to be left-lateral wrenches. This new gross structural style is consistent with the results of recent Yeongdong Basin analysis by Lee. The senses of fault movement are also supported by the paleomagnetic evidence that the Philippine Sea had experienced an 80-degree clockwise rotation since the Eocene. Based on a 2 $\frac{1}{2}$ model study the probable maximum thickness of the sediments in the Gunsan Basin is approximately 7500 meters. We believe that the new Heugsan Basin was left unidentified because a high velocity layer may be overlying the basin. Because the overall structural configuration of the Heugsan Basin appears to be favorable for hydrocarbon accumulation, a detailed airborne magnetic survey is recommended in the area in order to verify the magnetic expression of this thick basin. A detailed subsequent marine gravity survey is also recommended in order to delineate the sedimentary section and to acquire supplemental data to the magnetic method only if an overlying high velocity layer is confirmed. Otherwise a high energy source seismic survey may be more effective.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to provide the information on genesis of obsidian occurring in the southwestern part of Ulleung Island, Korea, and to discuss its implications for volcanic activity through volcanological and mineralogical properties of obsidian. Obsidian occurs locally at the lower part of the Gombawi welded tuff, showing various complex textures and flow banding. Though obsidian is mostly homogeneous, it is closely associated with alkali feldspar phenocrysts, reddish tuff, and greyish trachyte fragments. The obsidian occurs as wavy, lenticular blocks or lamination composed of fragments. Cooling fractures developed on obsidian glass are characterized by perlitic cracks, orbicular or spherical cracks, indicating that obsidian rapidly quenched to form an amorphous silica-rich phase. It is evident that hydration took place preferentially at the outer rim relative to the core of obsidian, forming alteration rinds. The glassy matrix of obsidian includes euhedral alkali feldspars, diopside, biotite, ilmenite, and iron oxides. Microlites in glassy obsidian are composed mainly of alkali feldspars and ilmenite. Quantitative analysis by EPMA on the obsidian glass part shows trachytic composition with high iron content of 3 wt.%. Accordingly, obsidian formed with complex textures under a rapid cooling condition on surface ground, with slight rheomorphism. Such results might be induced by collapse of lava dome or caldera, which produced the block-and-ash flow deposit and the transportation into valley while keeping high temperatures.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.489-498
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• 1993

The Okbang amphibolites occurring as sill-shaped bodies within the Precambrian Wonnam Group have been studied in terms of geochemical characteristics for their tectonomagmatic environments. The amphibolites fall in the ortho-amphibolite fields in Ni and Cr versus Cu diagrams. They belong to subalkaline and tholeiitic series in total alkali versus silica and ternary AFM diagrams, respectively. They show the compositional variation corresponding to the differentiation trend of tholeiitic suites. In discrimination diagrams using high-field-strength elements such as Ti, Zr, Nb and Y, the amphibolites show geochemical affinities to both of volcanic-arc tholeiites and normal (depleted) mid-oceanic ridge tholeiites. The REE patterns of the amphibolites are nearly flat and extremely similar to those of back-arc tholeiites. $(La/Yb)_{CN}$ ratios vary from 0.89 to 2.02 with an average value of 1.23. Such low light-REE abundances in the amphibolites suggest that they were derived from the upper mantle source depleted in these elements. In view of geochemical characteristics showing strong enrichments of incompatible elements such as K and Rb, distinctive negative Nb anomalies, depletions of light-REE observed also in normal (depleted) mid-oceanic ridge tholeiites, and unfractionated immobile elements such as Y and Yb, the tholeiitic magmas, from which the parent rocks of the amphibolites were formed, would be generated from a depleted upper mantle source and contaminated by continental crustal materials en route to surface. Tectonomagmatic environment for the amphibolites can be assumed to be continental back-arc basin.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.35-46
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• 2024

This study investigated the origin and mineralogical-geochemical characteristics of a small ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) nodule sample obtained from the abyssal seafloor of the Magellan Seamount cluster. To this end, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analyses were conducted. The dark brown Fe-Mn oxides constituting the nodule had a homogeneous texture without distinguishable layers, forming around three distinct nuclei. The oxides had a low average Mn/Fe ratio of 0.73 (0.24-1.10) and were characterized by high Co content (0.41-0.85 wt.%, average = 0.58 wt.%) as well as low Ni (0.06-1.24 wt.%, average = 0.55 wt.%) and Cu (0.27-1.02 wt.%, average = 0.59 wt.%) concentrations. The maximum age of the nodule was estimated at 0.52 Ma, suggesting that it began forming during the transition from the glacial to the interglacial periods in the middle Pleistocene. The Fe-Mn oxide layer comprised vernadite, smectite, quartz, and feldspar, while the nuclei were composed of soft sediments. The presence of vernadite, a typical hydrogenetic Fe-Mn oxide mineral, along with the low Mn/Fe ratio, high Co content, and low Ni and Cu concentrations, indicates that Fe-Mn nodules on the abyssal seafloor of the Magellan Seamount cluster in the western Pacific Ocean formed through hydrogenetic processes.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.109-122
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• 1986

Mn-Pb-Zn-Ag deposits of the Janggun mine are hosted in the Cambro-Ordovician Janggun limestone mostly along the contacts of the Jurassic Chunyang granite. The deposits are represented by several ore pipes and steeply dipping lenticular bodies consisting of lower Pb-Zn-Ag sulfide ores and upper manganese carbonate and oxide ores. The former consists mainly of arsenic, antimony, silver, manganese, and tin-bearing sulfides, whereas the latter are characterized by hypogene rhodochrosite, and superficial manganese oxides including todorokite, nsutite, pyrolusite, cryptomelane, birnesite and janggunite. Origin of the upper manganese ore deposits has been a controversial subject among geologists for this mine: hydrothermal metasomatic vs. syngenetic sedimentary origin. Syngenetic advocators have proposed a new sedimentary rock, rhodochrostone, which is composed mainly of rhodochrosite in mineralogy. In the present study, carbon, oxygen and sulfur isotopic compositions were analayzed obtaining results as follows: Rhodochrosite minerals, (Mn, Ca, Mg, Fe) $CO_3$, from hydrothermal veins, massive sulfide ores and replacement ores in dolomitic limestone range in isotopic value from -4.2 to -6.3‰ in ${\delta}^{13}C$(PDB) and +7.6 to +12.9‰ in ${\delta}^{18}O$(SMOW) with a mean value of -5.3‰ in ${\delta}^{13}C$ and +10.7‰ in ${\delta}^{18}O$. The rhodochrosite bearing limestone and dolomitic limestone show average isotopic values of -1.5‰ in ${\delta}^{13}C$ and +17.5‰ in ${\delta}^{18}O$, which differ from those of the rhodochrosite mentioned above. This implies that the carbon and oxygen in ore fluids and host limestone were not derived from an identical source. ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of sulfide minerals exhibit a narrow range, +2.0 to +5.0‰ and isotopic temperature appeared to be about $288{\sim}343^{\circ}C$. Calculated initial isotopic values of rhodochrosite minerals, ${\delta}^{18}O_{H_2O}=+6.6$ to +10.6‰ and ${\delta}^{13}C_{CO_2}=-4.0$ to -5.1 ‰, strongly suggest that carbonate waters should be deep seated in origin. Isotopic data of manganese oxide ores derived from hypogene rhodochrosites suggest that the oxygen of the limestone host rock rather than those of meteoric waters contribute to form manganese oxide ores above the water table.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.241-259
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• 2022

In general, the REE were produced by mining conventional deposits, such as the carbonatite or the clay-hosted REE deposits. However, because of the recent demand increase for REE in modern industries, unconventional REE deposits emerged as a necessary research topic. Among the unconventional REE recovery methods, the REE-bearing coal deposits are recently receiving attentions. R-types generally have detrital originations from the bauxite deposits, and show LREE enriched REE patterns. Tuffaceous-types are formed by syngenetic volcanic activities and following input of volcanic ash into the basin. This type shows specific occurrence of the detrital volcanic ash-driven minerals and the authigenic phosphorous minerals focused at narrow horizon between coal seams and tonstein layers. REE patterns of tuffaceous-types show flat shape in general. Hydrothermal-types can be formed by epigenetic inflow of REE originated from granitic intrusions. Occurrence of the authigenic halogen-bearing phosphorous minerals and the water-bearing minerals are the specific characteristics of this type. They generally show HREE enriched REE patterns. Each type of REE-bearing coal deposits may occur by independent genesis, but most of REE-bearing coal deposits with high REE concentrations have multiple genesis. For the case of the US, the rare earth oxides (REO) with high purity has been produced from REE-bearing coals and their byproducts in pilot plants from 2018. Their goal is to supply about 7% of national REE demand. For the coal deposits in Korea, lignite layers found in Gyungju-Yeongil coal fields shows coexistence of tuff layers and coal seams. They are also based in Tertiary basins, and low affection from compaction and coalification might resulted into high-REE tuffaceous-type coal deposits. Thus, detailed geologic researches and explorations for domestic coal deposits are required.