• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.241-252
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• 2016

In this paper, in order to test the possibility of applying K feldspar $pIR-IRSL_{290}$ signal(read out at $290^{\circ}C$) to date old terrace sediments(up to ~ 200 ka, MIS 7) in Korea, we investigated luminescence properties of $pIR-IRSL_{290}$ signals in K feldspar extracts from 27 marine and fluvial terrace sediment samples, and these were compared with those of quartz OSL and conventional K feldspar $IRSL_{50}$ (readout at $50^{\circ}C$) signals. The averaged $2D_0$ value of K feldspar $pIR-IRSL_{290}$ growth curves was ~ 700 Gy, which is consistent with that of $IRSL_{50}$ signal, and this is 3 times higher than that for quartz OSL (~ 250 Gy) on average. Where possible, K feldspar $pIR-IRSL_{290}$ ages were compared with quartz OSL and conventional $IRSL_{50}$ ages. Our preliminary K feldspar $pIR-IRSL_{290}$ ages were older than quartz OSL ages by about 200%, while fading rate-corrected conventional $IRSL_{50}$ ages are in good agreement with those based on quartz OSL. This seems to indicate the possibility of K-feldspar $pIR-IRSL_{290}$ age overestimation due to the presence of unbleachable $pIR-IRSL_{290}$ signals, even with a prolonged exposure to sunlight. Both quartz OSL and K-feldspar $pIR-IRSL_{290}$ signals for the samples from Noeum fluvial terrace and Gusan fault site were all in dose saturation level, thus unable to estimate the formation ages of the sediments. However, $2D_0$ values derived from the dose response growth curves strongly indicate that the Noeum fluvial terrace sediments have formed before 109-140 ka, while the fluvial sediments from Gusan fault were desposited before 100-105 ka. Further, this seems to suggest that the previous quartz OSL ages of ~40-50 ka for Gusan fault sediments should be the underestimated ones due to dose saturation problem.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.3-20
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• 1987

With regard to the Quaternary formations in the Korean Peninsula, very few studies have been done specially from a stratigraphic viewpoint. The alluvial sediments filling in the valleys have often been considered as the only formation of Quaternary age (more precisely of the Holocone) and so the Pleistocene was regarded as an erosional or nondepositional episode. This is apparently evident from a quick look at the general geological maps of the Peninsula, which show a lithological sequence of Mesozoic or Paleozoic substrata immediately overlain by Holocene alluvium. Likewise, the Pleistocene period was described in terms of unconformity in most local or regional stratigraphical successions of the Peninsula. Recently several different types of Quaternary formation, besides the so-called Holocene alluvium in the valley plain have been found around the Peninsula. They consist of coastal deposits, marine or fluviatile terrace deposits, ancient valley fill deposits or slope deposits. Some parts of the volcanic sediments in Jeju Is. are also known as the Quaternary sequence. Thus the Quaternary deposits in the Peninsula are far more developed than previously known to gelolgists. Moreover the importance of Quaternary research became recently apparent in Korea due to the shortage of raw materials and to the policy of an optimum land-use. Advanced constructions and land reclamation have required more precise engineering parameters of loose materials and an estimation of land stability. This does not imply only the engineering, or the structural properties of the loose material, but at the same time the basic study of the sediments from the stratigraphical and environmental viewpoints has been necessary. In this connection, Quaternary outcrops specially along the coastal fringe of the Peninsula have been mapped, profiled and sampled for sedimentological, clay-mineralogical and palaeomagnetic studies. All these results are compiled for the core of the Quaternary stratigraphy of the Peninsula.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.231-240
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• 2016

Three Quaternary faults have been revealed in marine terraces nearby the Homigot and the Gurongpo in the southeastern offshore of Korean Peninsula. The Hajung fault cuts the $4^{th}$ marine terraces and the Guman fault the $2^{nd}$, respectively. The Hajung fault strikes $N55^{\circ}$ to $45^{\circ}W$ and dips $40^{\circ}$ to $45^{\circ}NE$ with reverse-displacement of 180cm vertically. There are four sets of colluvial sediment strata that would be produced by faulting and indicate four times of fault movements during MIS 7 and MIS 5c. The Guman fault site consists of three sets of reverse faults that strike $N80^{\circ}E$ to $N70^{\circ}W$ and dip $25^{\circ}{\sim}35^{\circ}SE$ to $30^{\circ}SW$ with vertical displacement of 9~18 cm. The Guman faulting occurred during 80 ka (MIS 5a) to 71 ka (MIS 4) but it extends only to the lowest bed, the pebble sand bed, lay just on the unconformity, and not to the upper. Considering the attitude of the faults, we inferred that the Hajung fault was activated under the ENE-WSW compression during MIS 7 to MIS 5c and the Guman under N-S trending compression during MIS 5a. Using the OSL age dating results, we reconfirmed that the $2^{nd}$ terrace is correlated to MIS 5a and the $4^{th}$ terraces to MIS 7.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.409-425
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• 2019

Marine terraces, a step-like landform, are important geologic markers that provide tectonic information during the Quaternary Period. Marine terraces are well developed along all coastlines(East, West, and South) of the Korean Peninsula, those along the East coastline are the most distinctive. The marine terraces of the East coastline are classified into 4-6 flights that are several meters or several tens of meters above the present sea level. It is believed that these terraces, except for the lowest one, were formed in the middle Pleistocene. In the base of the OSL age dating results and Blake excursion events of magnetostratigraphy, the $2^{nd}$ and $3^{rd}$ terraces are correlated to the last interglacial stage. Considering the marine terraces linked to a sea-level curve of the Pleistocene, it is thought that regional tectonic movements have uplifted the East coastal area since the middle Pleistocene. Besides, former shorelines of each terrace have varied elevations from Gangreung to Busan bay, which can be divided into four regions, namely, Gangreung-Yonghanri(I), Homikot-Najung(II), Najung-Bangeojin(III), and Waesung-Busan Bay(IV). The former shorelines of each terrace at both Gangreung-Yonghanri(I) and Najung-Bangeojin(III) are higher than those in the other two regions, due to block movements by regional faults such as the Ocheon Fault or its subsidiaries, the Gampo Lineament and Ulsan Fault. Uplift rate of the East coast ranges from 0.2 m/ky to 0.3 m/ky, but each region shows different uplift rate.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.680-690
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• 2022

Tephrochronology uses regional tephra for age dating and stratigraphic correlations. Regional tephras are important in Quaternary geology and archaeology because they can be used as stratigraphic time-markers. In this review, identification and dating methods of tephra are summarized. In addition, the characteristics of regional tephras in terrestrial deposits of the Korean Peninsula are elaborated, and geological applications and limitations of the regional tephra layers are also discussed. So far, AT, Ata, and Kb-Ks tephra layers from Kyushu, Japan have been found in Pleistocene paleosol, marine terrace deposits, and lacustrine deposits in Korea. Also, although not officially confirmed, Aso-4 tephra is likely to occur in terrestrial deposits. The regional tephra layers are vital for dating, especially with regard to sediments over 50 ka beyond the range of radiocarbon dating, and for dating of active faults. Furthermore, it can provide important information for preparing countermeasures against volcanic disasters. However, in order to use the tephra layer geologically, it must be confirmed whether it is a primary deposit based on sedimentological study.