• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.4-19
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• 2009

Total 57 sauropod tracks are found from the Cretaceous Kyokpori Formation in the Buangun, Jeollabukdo, Korea. Six sauropod trackways in second stratigraphic level of three stratigraphic levels were recognized and described. The type of sauropod trackways is a wide-gauge trackway which has been generally in Cretaceous sauropod trackways. On the basis of foot length, trackway orientations, and preservation, all of the tracks are thought to have been made by small sauropods moving not only towards and away from the shoreline but also along the shoreline of lacustrine environment.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.458-472
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• 2018

Pterosaur tracks were discovered recently in the Daegok-ri dinosaur tracksite (Ulsan Metropolitan City Cultural Properties No. 13), Ulju-gun, Ulsan. Those tracks were reported as being the first in the Cretaceous deposits of Ulsan area. This tracksite is located relatively far from the Gyeongsangnam-do coastal area where pterosaur tracks were reported intensively, and there are stratigraphic differences. This study described the pterosaur tracks and trackway of the Daegok-ri tracksite and discussed the spatio-temporal distribution of the Cretaceous pterosaurs in the Korean Peninsula. The pterosaur footprints founded in Daegok-ri can be classified as Pteraichnus ichnosp., followed by the morphological characteristics. Based on the distribution of the pterosaur tracks on the Korean Peninsula including the Daegok-ri pterosaur tracks, it was estimated that the Cretaceous pterosaurs on the Korean Peninsula had survived approximately for 40 million years from 120 Ma (i.e., Early Cretaceous) to 80 Ma (i.e., Late Cretaceous) and inhabited in various sedimentary environments regardless of the basin size and the specific sedimentary environments. Furthermore, the occurrence of the sauropod, ornithopod, theropod, pterosaurs, birds, and crocodyliforms tracks/trackways in the Daegok-ri area represented that the Cretaceous vertebrate ichnodiversity was fairly high.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.46-67
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• 2014

The Dinosaur track-bearing deposits recently found at Bangudae Petroglyph site in Ulju (National Treasure No. 285) have been studied in the aspects of sedimentology, paleoenvironments, and significance in natural history. The dinosaur tracks occur in the Daegu Formation (late Early Cretaceous), and over 80 footprints including 43 ornithopod footprints, 36 sauropod footprints, and 2 theropod footprints are preserved in this tracksite. The track-bearing deposits consist of irregularly interlaminated siltstone and mudstone, calcareous sandy to silty mudstone, thin-bedded tuffaceous sandstone, planar- to cross-laminated sandstone, and thin- to medium-bedded graded sandstone, and they are interpreted to be sheetflood deposits on an alluvial plain. Diverse types of ripples and mudcracks, rainprints, and invertebrate trace fossils are observed in these deposits, and the crest-lines of wave ripples do not show preferred orientation. Dinosaur footprints occur as true prints, underprints, overtracks, and casts on the bedding surfaces, and the orientation of trackways are scattered. It is interpreted that paleoclimatic condition of the track-bearing deposits were semiarid with alternation of wetting and drying periods, and that dinosaurs frequented small and shallow ponds during wetting periods and recorded their tracks on an alluvial plain. The frequent occurrence of dinosaur tracks in study area indicates that the Cretaceous deposits around Daegokcheon Stream are very useful sedimentological and paleontological records to understand the paleoecology and paleoenvironments during the dinosaur age in Korean Peninsula. Consequently the dinosaur track-bearing deposits around Daegokcheon Stream should be further studied in sedimentary geology and paleontology in order to enhance cultural heritage value of the Petroglyphs of Bangudae Terrace as the World Heritage.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.268-289
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• 2013

The Dinosaur tracksite at Jeori, Geumseongmyeon, Euiseonggun, Gyeongsangbukdo, Korea (National Monument No. 373) has been studied in the aspects of location, stratigraphy, sedimentology, fossil occurrence, unique geological records, literature, significance in natural history, preservation, and management. On the basis of these features, the Jeori tracksite has been assessed semiquantitavely. The Jeori tracksite occurs in the Sagok Formation (Albian) of the Euiseong sub-basin, and over 300 footprints forming 12 sauropod trackways, 10 ornithopod trackways, and 1 theropod trackways are preserved in this tracksite. The track-bearing deposits consist of tabular-bedded medium- to fine-grained arkose with mudstone drape, interlaminated fine-grained sandstone to siltstone and mudstone, and shaly mudstone. The dinosaur tracks are preserved in the interlaminated fine-grained sandstone to siltstone and mudstone, and most of them are observed as underprints. The track-bearing deposits are interpreted as sheetflood deposits on the floodplain under a seasonal paleoclimatic condition with alternating of wetting and drying periods. Multiple tension fractures with NE strike were formed in the track-bearing bed, which resulted in that tracks seem to occur in several horizons. The significance in natural history of the tracksite can be summarized as follows: 1) the historical implication of the Jeori tracksite as the firstly designated National Monument of dinosaur fossil sites, 2) the high density of the occurrence of diverse footprints (over 300) within small area (about $1,600m^2$), and 3) the significance of the tension fractures associated with the track-bearing bed as geoeducational records for the understanding the development of fault. In order to share the value of the Jeori tracksite in the aspect of natural history with the community and public, the interpretive panel should be modified to include figures explaining paleoenvironment and tension fault development. In addition it is recommended that a brochure be published briefly explaining the tracksite and to educate the residents about the natural and social significance of the tracksite. For the safety of visitors it would be desirable for the road in front of the tracksite to be moved at least 10 m southward, which could mitigate the shaking of the track bed caused by traffic.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.74-93
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• 2019

The Bird Track Site in the Haman Formation in Yongsanri (Natural Monument No. 222) was reported on the named Koreanaornis hamanensis and Jindongornipes kimi sauropod footprint Brontopodus and ichnospecies Ochlichnus formed by Nematoda. This site has outstanding academic value because it is where the second-highest number of bird tracks have been reported in the world. However, only 25% of the site remains after being designated a natural monument in 1969. This is due to artificial damage caused by worldwide fame and quarrying for flat stone used in Korean floor heating systems. The Haman Formation, including this fossil site, has lithofacies showing reddish-grey siltstone and black shale, alternately. The boundary of the two rocks is progressive, and sedimentary structures like ripple marks and sun cracks can clearly be found. This site was divided into seven formations according to sedimentary sequences and structures. The results of a nondestructive deterioration evaluation showed that chemical and biological damage rates were very low for all formations. Also, physical damage displayed low rates with 0.49% on exfoliation, 0.04% on blistering, 0.28% on break-out; however, the joint crack index was high, 6.20. Additionally, efflorescence was observed on outcrops at the backside and the northwestern side. Physical properties measured by an indirect ultrasonic analysis were found to be moderately weathered (MW). Above all, the southeastern side was much fresher, though some areas around the column of protection facility appeared more weathered. Furthermore, five kinds of discontinuity surface can be found at this site, with the bedding plane showing the higher share. There is the possibility of toppling failure occurring at this site but stable on plane and wedge failure by means of stereographic projection. We concluded that the overall level of deterioration and stability were relatively fine. However, continuous monitoring and conservation treatment and management should be performed as situations such as the physicochemical weathering of the fossil layer, and the efflorescence of the mortar adjoining the protection facility's column appear to be challenging to control.