• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.52-74
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• 2000

The basement rock of upper stream of Keum River Valley consists of Precambrian gneiss which is resistant to weathering. That of mid and lower stream valley, however, is mainly composed of Mesozoic granites which are vulnerable to weathering. The upstream part of Geum River Basin is typified by the deeply-incised and steep meandering streams, whereas mid and lower part is characterized by wide floodplain and gently dipping river bottom toward the Yellow Sea. In particular flooding deposits, in which are imprinted a number of repetitions of erosion and sedimentation during the Holocene, are widely distributed in the lower stream of Geum River Basin. For understanding of erosions in the mid and lower stream of Geum River Basin, the rate of erosion of each small basins were estimated by using the data of field survey, erosional experiments and GIS ananlysis. It was revealed that erosion rate appeared highest in granite areas, and overall areas, in this field survey were represented by relatively high erosion rates. By implemeatation of remote sensing and imagery data, the temporal changes of river bed sediments for about last 11 years were successfully monitored. Observed as an important phenomenon is that the river bed has been risen since 1994 when an embankment (Dyke) was constructed in the estuarine river mouth. From the results derived from the detailed river bed topographical map made in this investigation, the sedimentation of the lower river basin is considered to be deposited with about 5 cm/year for the last 11 years. Based on this river bed profile analysis by HEC-6 module, it is predicted that Geum River bed of Ganggyeong area is continuously rising up in general until 2004. Although extraction of a large amount of aggregates from Gongju to Ganggyung areas, the Ganggyung lower stream shows the distinct sedimentation. Therefore, it is interpreted that the active erosions of tributary basins Geum drainage basins can affect general river bed rising changes of Geum River.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 1998

The radon (Rn-222) potential of metropolitan subway stations and soils in Seoul city were delineated using alpha-track filter and EDA-200 radon detectors, respectively. The uranium (U) and thorium (Th) contents were also determined using a Multi Channel Analyzer to identify the sources of radon gas. The average U concentrations in Seoul varies according to basement rock types. For example, there is $9.40{\pm}10.11ppm$ in the Precambrian metasedimentary rock (PM), $9.08{\pm}2.85ppm$ in the Jurassic Kwanaksan granite (JK) and $4.94{\pm}1.43ppm$ in the Jurassic Seoul granite (JS). Uranium contents in soil samples are $10.30{\pm}4.74ppm$ in JK, $10.10{\pm}7.43ppm$ in PM and $6.69{\pm}3.95ppm$ in JS and these closely reflect the content of uraniferous minerals. The levels of soil radon are $604{\pm}273pCi/L$ in JK, $502{\pm}275$ in JS and $262{\pm}211pCi/L$ in PM. The soil radon concentrations are shown to reflect soil permeability and porosity rather than their U contents. The mean indoor radon contents in subway stations are $1.50{\pm}0.62pCi/L$ on the 4th line, $1.41{\pm}0.95pCi/L$ on the 3rd line, $0.84{\pm}0.13pCi/L$ on the 1st line and $0.80{\pm}0.25pCi/L$ on the 2nd line. The subway stations located in the JK have the highest average radon concentration with $2.04{\pm}0.65pCi/L$, where levels of $1.57{\pm}0.81pCi/L$ occur in the JS and $0.80{\pm}0.23pCi/L$ in the PM. The highest radon levels of 4.1 pCi/L occur mainly in Keongbokkung station on the 3rd line and these exceed 4 pCi/L of the US EPA action level.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.83-94
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• 2008

The Pungcheon-myeon, Andong, consists mainly of Precambrian metamorphic rocks, Jurassic igneous rocks, Cretaceous sedimentary rocks (Hasandong, Jinju and Iljik Formations) and Cretaceous igneous rocks (gabbroic rocks, dykes), in which several major faults are developed; Andong fault of ENE trend, which is the boundary fault of the Cretaceous Gyeongsang Basin and the Precambrian-Jurassic basement (Yeongnam Massif), Namhu fault parallel to it, Maebong fault of NNW direction, bow-shaped Gwangdeok fault of ENE direction which is convex toward SSE direction, and Hahoe fault of NNE direction. This paper is researched the geological structures around these major faults by means of the detailed geometric analysis on beddings, joints, faults and drag folds. As a result, a reverse slip faulting of top-to-the SSE movement accompanied with a regional drag folding is recognized from the arrangement of bedding poles measured around the Gwangdeok and Hahoe faults at its northeastern extension, and a zone of Gwangdeok drag fold of 150-300 m width, which is wider at the central and eastern parts of Gwangdeok fault and narrower at its western part and Hahoe fault, is also defined. It indicates that the Hahoe and Gwangdeok faults are a single fault and their movements are coeval unlike the results of earlier reasearchers. And, In this area are recognized two types of faults [(E)NE${\sim}$EW(fault I), WNW${\sim}$NNW (fault II), trending faults] and four types of joints [EW (I), (N)NW (II), NNE (III), NE (IV) trending joints]. These fractures were formed at least through four different events, named as Dn to Dn+3 phases. (1) Dn phase; the formation of joint (I) (Gwangdeok joint) and the intrusion of acidic dykes of EW trend under the compression of EW direction. (2) Dn+1 phase; the formations of joint (II) (Maebong joint), lens-shaped boudinage of acidic dykes, oblique-slip reverse fault (Fault I-Gwangdeok fault) under the compression of (N)NW direction, and the formation of regional zone of Gwangdeok drag fold accompanying the Gwangdeok faulting. (3) Dn+2 phase; those of joint (III), Fault II (Maebong fault) by dextral strike-slip movement of Maebong joint under the compression of NNE direction, and the extension cutting of Dn+1 structures due to the Maebong faulting. (4) Dn+3 phase; the jointing (IV) and the reactivation of Fault II as oblique-slip type with predominant dextral motion which took place under the compression of NE direction. It also suggests that the Maebong fault is not a tear fault deveolped during thrust tectonics of the Andong and Gwangdeok faults but is a post-fault during different tectonic event.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.333-341
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• 2010

Fluvial sediments are widely distributed in present and old river-beds of the mid-Keum River, the tributaries of which are the Yugu and Jeongan Rivers. The basement of the mid-Keum River area consists of Mesozoic granites which are easily eroded compared to Precambrian gneisses, which are exposed in the upper-Keum River area. The provenance of the fluvial sediments includes both the Precambrian gneisses and Mesozoic granites, which occur in the catchment of the mid-Keum River. The coarse-grained sediments were probably transported from the river-beds and the overbank floodings of the main Keum River and its tributaries when the climate was warm and wet. The oldest mud deposits were dated at ca. 9,400 yr BP by the radiocarbon method. It has been estimated that the sand deposits below the dated muds were formed in a period from the Late Pleistocene to the Early Holocene. However we have revealed that the major part of the present river-bed sediments was formed at ca. 3,000-6,000 yr BP, i.e., in the mid- to late Holocene, when summer monsoon was very strong due to climatic changes. We have calculated fluvial sedimentation rates of 0.12-0.16 cm/yr and 0.02-0.09 cm/yr for borehole KJ-29 river-bed sediments and borehole KJ-28 floodplain deposits, respectively. We conclude that the sedimentation rate is higher near the present stream channel than near the floodplain.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.179-195
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• 1984

The Jurassic Daejeon and Nonsan granitoids are "S-type" syntectonic calc-alkaline two-mica monzogranite and granodiorite, respectively. With evidences of high CaO, $Al_2O_3$, LIL/HFS elements, total REE, (Ce/Yb)N and initial ($^{87}Sr/^{88}Sr$) ratio, and no significant Eu anomaly, the primary magmas for the Daejeon and Nonsan granitic rocks are derived from partial melting of the Precambrian granulite (e.g. grey gneisses). But those Jurassic granitoids crystallised from different chemical characteristics of parental magmas which is mainly due to varying degree of partial melting of the granulite (crustal anatexis). The absence of significant anomalous Eu($Eu/Eu^*=O.82{\sim}1.00$) in the Daejeon and Nonsan granitoids could indicate that feldspars, mainly plagioclase, did not separate from the magmas. The parental hydrous magmas could not rise appreciably above their source region before crystallisation. The Jurassic granitoids may be resulted by closing-collision situation and belong to the Hercynotype (Pitcher 1979) such as compressive ductile regime of an intracontinental orogen.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.4 s.46
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• pp.180-193
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• 2006

The Gilan area in the central-northern part of Uiseong Block of Cretaceous Gyeongsang Basin is composed of Precambrian metamorphic rocks, Triassic Cheongsong granite, Early Cretaceous Hayans Group, and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene igneous rocks. In this area, the faults of various directions are developed: Oksan fault of $NS{\sim}NNW$ trend, Gilan fault of NW trend, Hwanghaksan fault of WNW trend, and Imbongsan fault of EW trend. Several fracture sets with various geometric indicators, which determine their relative timing (sequence and coexistence relationships) and shear sense, we well observed in the Cheongsong granite, the basement of Gyeongsang Basin. The aim of this study is to determine the development sequence of extension fractures and the movement sense of shear fractures in the Gitan area on the basis of detailed analysis of their geometric indicators (connection, termination, intersection patterns, and cross-cutting relations). This study suggests that the fracture system of the Gilan area was formed at least through seven different fracturing events, named as Pre-Dn to Dn +5 phases. The orientations of fracture sets show (W) NW, NNW, NNE, EW, NE in descending order of frequency. The orientation and frequency patterns are concordant with those of faults around and in the Gilan area on a geological map scale. The development sequence and movement sense of fracture sets are summarized as follows. (1) Pre-Dn phase: extension fracturing event of $NS{\sim}NNW$ and/or $WNW{\sim}ENE$ trend. The joint sets of $NS{\sim}NNW$ trend and of $WNW{\sim}ENE$ trend underwent the reactivation histories of sinistral ${\rightarrow}$dextral${\rightarrow}$sinistral shearing and of (dextral${\rightarrow}$) sinistral shearing with the change of stress field afterward, respectively. (2) Dn phase: that of NW trend. The joint set experienced the reactivations of sinistral${\rightarrow}$dextral shearing. (3) Dn + 1 phase: that of $NNE{\sim}NE$ trend. The joint set was reactivated as a sinistral shear fracture afterward. (4) Dn +2 phase: that of $ENE{\sim}EW$ trend. (5) Dn +3 phase: that of $WNW{\sim}NW$ trend. (6) Dn+4 phase: that of NNW trend. The joint set underwent a dextral shearing after this. (7) The last Dn +5 phase: that of NNE trend.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.201-219
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• 2017

The Jinan Basin which includes Maisan locates in the central part of the northern boundary of the Yeongnam Massif. The basement rocks of the Jinan Basin and surrounding area are Precambrian gneiss and Mesozoic granite which were exposed on the surface before Cretaceous. The Jinan Basin, one of the Cretaceous pull-apart basins in South Korea, formed along the Yongdong-Gwangju fault system. Maisan is composed of conglomerate deposited in the eastern slope of the Jinan Basin showing the shape of horse ears and the unusual topography where many tafonies were developed. The strike slip fault that caused the Jinan Basin was connected to the deep depth so that the magma formed at 200 km depth could have extruded on the surface causing active volcanic activity in and around the Jinan basin. As a result, Cheonbansan composed of pyroclastic rocks, Gubongsan consisting of volcanic neck and WoonilamBanilam formed by the lava flow, appear around Maisan forming a specific terrain. After the formation of the Jinan Basin and surrounding volcanic rocks, they uplifted to form mountains including Masian; the uplifting time may be ca. 69-38 Ma. At this time, the Noryeong mountain range may be formed in the regions which extended from Chugaryeong through Muju and Jinan to Hampyeong dividing the Geumgang and Seomjingang water systems. Due to the ecological barrier, the Noryeong mountain range, Coreoleuciscus splendidus living in the Geumgang water systems was differentiated from that in the Soemjingang water system. In addition, the Geumgang and Mangyeong-Dongjingang water systems were separated by the Unjangsan, which developed in the NNW direction. As a result, diverse ecosystem have been established in and around Maisan and at the same time, diverse cultural and historical resources related to Maisan's unique petrological features, were also established. Therefore, Maisan and surrounding area can be regarded as a place where a geotourism can be successfully established by combining the ecological, cultural and historical resources with a geological heritage. Therefore Maisan and surrounding areas have a high possibility to be a National Geopark and UNESCO Global Geopark.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.313-331
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• 2022

Natural or native abiotic molecular hydrogen (H₂) is a major component in natural gas, however yet its importance in the global energy sector's usage as clean and renewable energy is underestimated. Here we review the occurrence and geological settings of native hydrogen to demonstrate the much widesprease H₂ occurrence in nature by comparison with previous estimations. Three main types of source rocks have been identified: (1) ultramafic rocks; (2) cratons comprising iron (Fe²⁺)-rich rocks; and (3) uranium-rich rocks. The rocks are closely associated with Precambrian crystalline basement and serpentinized ultramafic rocks from ophiolite and peridotite either at mid-ocean ridges or within continental margin(Zgonnik, 2020). Inorganic geological processes producing H₂ in the source rocks include (a) the reduction of water during the oxidation of Fe²⁺ in minerals (e.g., olivine), (b) water splitting due to radioactive decay, (c) degassing of magma at low pressure, and (d) the reaction of water with surface radicals during mechanical breaking (e.g., fault) of silicate rocks. Native hydrogen are found as a free gas (51%), fluid inclusions in various rock types (29%), and dissolved gas in underground water (20%) (Zgonnik, 2020). Although research on H₂ has not yet been carried out in Korea, the potential H₂ reservoirs in the Gyeongsang Basin are highly probable based on geological and geochemical characteristics including occurrence of ultramafic rocks, inter-bedded basaltic layers and iron-copper deposits within thick sedimentary basin and igneous activities at an active continental margin during the Permian-Paleogene. The native hydrogen is expected to be clean and renewable energy source in the near future. Therefore it is clear that the origin and exploration of the native hydrogen, not yet been revealed by an integrated studies of rock-fluid interaction studies, are a field of special interest, regardless of the presence of economic native hydrogen reservoirs in Korea.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.73-87
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• 1975

Regional unconformities have been used as boundaries of major stratigraphic units in Korea. The term "synthem" has already been propsed for formal unconformity-bounded stratigraphic units of maximum magnitude (ISSC, 1974). The unconformity-based classification of the strata in the cratonic area in Korea comprises in ascending order the Kyerim, $Sangw{\check{o}}n$, $Jos{\check{o}}n$, $Py{\check{o}}ngan$, Daedong, and $Ky{\check{o}}ngsang$ Synthems, and the Cenozoic Erathem. The unconformites separating them from each other are either orogenic or epeirogenic (and vertical tectonic). The sub-$Sangw{\check{o}}n$ unconformity is a non-conformity above the basement complex in Korea. The unconformities between the $Sangw{\check{o}}n$, $Jos{\check{o}}n$, and $Py{\check{o}}ngan$ Synthems are disconformities denoting late Precambrian and Paleozoic crustal quiescence in Korea. The unconformities between the $Py{\check{o}}ngan$, Daedong, and $Ky{\check{o}}ngsang$ Synthems are angular unconformities representing Mesozoic orogenies. The bounding unconformities of the $Ky{\check{o}}ngsang$ Synthem involve non-conformable parts overlying the Jurassic and late Cretaceous granitic rocks.