• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.335-346
• /
• 1991

It is observed that calcareous nodules of the Hwajeol Formation are locally skarnized in the Sangdong district, in which the skarn mineralization extends 5 Km westward from the Sangdong mine area to the Hwajeolchi area. After a hidden granite beneath the Sangdong mine was discovered by exploration drillings, the exploration teams of the Sangdong mine and the Korean Mining Promotion Corporation have assumed that the skarn nodule of the Hwajeol Formation was derived from emplacement of a granite in deep place and the occurrence of hidden ore bodies below the skarn, and they have discovered high grades of tungsten orebody in the same horizon of the Sangdong ore body. Mutual genetic relatioships between epidote and garnet may be explained by following chemical reactions $Ca_2FeA_{12}$ $Si_3O_{12}(OH)+CaCO_3=Ca_3(Fe,\;Al)_2$ $SiO_{12}+1/2CO_2+1/2H^+Ca_3FeSi_3O_{12}+SiO_2+CO_2=2CaFeSi_{12}O_6+CaCO_3+1/2O_3$. It is concluded that epidote and garnet are useful as target minerals indicating a potential occurrence of deep seated hidden ore body. Since the epidote may inform the emplacement of the granite, while the garnet in the skarn nodule of the Hwajeol Formation may reflect a strong hydrothermal mineralization taking place from the depth.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.137-145
• /
• 2017

High-grade limestone applied to various chemical industries is abundant within upper Pungchon formation in Taebaeksan basin, South Korea. Geophysical exploration is one of the most efficient methods to investigate subsurface geological structure in an extensive area. Since the geophysical exploration for the high-grade limestone has rarely been conducted in Korea, its appropriate strategy has not been set up yet. In this study, we focused on to suggest the reasonable strategy and accumulate geophysical databases which are essential for interpreting geophysical images by characterizing laboratory physical properties of in-situ rocks. Hence, rocks were obtained from drilled cores consisting of lower Hwajeol formation, Pungchon formation, and dykes in Jeongseon area, Gangwon province. Geophysical laboratory experiments and petrography of the rocks were conducted. Since susceptibility values of the rocks in Pungchon Formation were obviously lower than those of upper Hwajeol and dykes, it is considered that the lithological boundaries could be distinguished by magnetic survey. In addition, electrical properties of the rocks in middle Pungchon formation were relatively different compared with those of upper/lower Pungchon formations. Thus, induced polarization is shown to be able to detect the high-grade limestone in upper Pungchon formation.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.135-144
• /
• 2005

In the high-Ca limestone zone of the Pungchon Formation of the Lower Chosun Supergroup, cryptocrystalline alterations with reddish brown color occur as fissure-fillings or coatings, which was originated from the upper formation, i. e., the Hwajeol Formation. The precipitates result in degradation and contamination of the high-Ca limestone ore in grade and quality, showing characteristic occurrence and mineral composition typical of suggesting a supergene origin. Chalcedonic quartz, kaolinite, illite, goethite and hematite are constituting a characteristic authigenic mineral assemblage and, in places, smectite is less commonly included in the weathering product. In addition to these authigenic phases, some detrital minerals such as mica and orthoclase constituting relatively coarser grains are also rarely present in the supergene alterations. A rather complex clay facies consisting of kaolinite, illite and smectite in the alterations seems to correspond to the typical clay composition of the reported residual pedogenic soils by limestone weathering. The cryptocrystalline weathering product is partly altered to stilbite, a characteristic hydrothermal zeolite, in places, by the hydrothermal contact of late stage. The time of formation and infiltration of the supergene alterations seems to correspond to the stage just after the epithermal alteration of the Pungchon Limestone, i. e., an early Jurassic age. The supergene alteration, which may imply the stage of uplifting, weathering and erosion of the Chosun Supergroup, appears to have undergone at an oxygen-rich environment in descending water of meteoric origin by means of a chemical leaching and diffusion.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.349-360
• /
• 2016

This study determined mineralogical characteristics and discussed the meaning of mineralogical changes of the lower Choseon Supergrouop in the Weondong area based on the field geological investigation and the drilling core description using X-ray diffraction (XRD) mineral quantification and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observation. 100 samples with depth were collected from the core (250 m long) at a site in the study area. Especially, to investigate the changes from the upper Daegi Formation to the lower Hwajeol Formation, the samples were collected closely with the interval of about 0.3 m at this section. All samples were made into power using mortar for XRD. Mineral quantitative analysis was executed using Relative Intensity Ratio (RIR) method with corundum as an internal standard phase. Calcite, $2M_1$ illite and quartz are main constituents in most of samples. Dolomite and siderite are significantly observed in the Sesong Formation. As the results of quantitative analysis for the major minerals, the upper Daegi Formation is dominated by calcite with over 80%. The Sesong Formation includes high percentage of dolomite and siderite with the intercalation of thin layers containing high calcite and $2M_1$ illite contents. Hwajeol Formation is characterized by the alternation between thin layers of $2M_1$ illite and quartz-dominated layer (IQDL) and calcite-dominated layer (CDL). IQDL is more frequent in the lower part, whereas CDL is more common in the upper part. The boundary between Daegi Formation and the Sesong Formation is distinct, whereas the boundary between the Sesong Formation and the Hwajeol Formation tends to be changed gradually in mineralogy. The result of SEM observation shows that quartz and $2M_1$ illite are detrital, and a significant amount of calcite also shows detrital form with some recrystallized one, indicating that the repeated influx of terrestrial materials had changed the mineralogy of the shallow sea depositional environment in the early Paleozoic era.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.81-114
• /
• 1973

The purpose of the present study is to clarify the stratigraphy and geologic structure of the Great Limestone Series by means of study on fossil conodonts and detail investigation of geologic structure. In recent years very few geologists in Korea argue without confident evidences against the age and stratigraphy of the Great Limestone Series which have been rather well established previously in most parts of the regions although it is ambiguous and has not been studied in other areas. Five type localities in the Kangweon basin where the Great Limestone Series is well cropped out were chosen for the study. Total 26 genus and 66 species of conodont were identified from 290 samples collected and treated. From the study on conodonts the age of each formations of the Great Limestone Series has been determined as follows: The Great Limestone Series of Duwibong type Duwibong limestone: Caradocian (mid-Ord.) Jikunsan shale: Landeilian (mid-Ord.) Maggol limestone: Llanvirn-Llandeilian (mid-Ord.) Dumugol: Arenigian (Ord.) Hwajeol: Upper Cambrian The Great Limestone Series of Yeongweol type Mungok (Samtaesan) : Ordovician Machari: upper Cambrian The Great Limestone Series of Jeongseon type Erstwhile Jeongseon limestone: mid-Ord. The erstwhile Jongseon Limestone formation in Jeongseon district is separated into Hwajeol, Dongjeom, Dumudong, and Maggol formations which were cropped out repeatedly by folding and faulting, but Maggol is predominant in areal distribution. Yemi Limestone Breccia bed is not a single bed but distributed in several horizons so that it bears no stratigraphic significance. The limestone bed above Yemi Limestone Breccia, which was believed by some geologists to be much younger than Ordovician, is identified to be Maggol and its age is determined to be mid-Ordovician. Sambangsan formation in Yeongweol district was believed to be Cambrian age and lower horizon than Machari formation by Kobayashi, but C. M. Son believed that it might belong to later than Ordovician and lies above the Great Limestone Series of Yeongweol type. It was identified to be upper Cambrian and lies beneath the Machari formation and above the Daeki formation, the lower most horizon of the Great Limestone Series. The age of Yeongweol type Choseon system is contemporaneous with that of Duwibong type Choseon system. The difference in lithofacies is not due to lateral facies change, but due to the difference in its depositional environment. The Yeongweol type Choseon system is believed to be deposited in the small Yeongweol basin which was separated from the main Kangweon sedimentary basin. Judging from these facts it is definitely concluded that there exists no Gotlandian formation in the regions studied. Structurally the Kangweon basin comprises five basins and two uplifted areas. These structures were originated by at least two crustal movements, that is, Songrim disturbance of Triassic and Daebo orogeny of Jurasic age.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 1988

Chondrodite form the Wondong mine, Korea, which is the first occurrence from the southern Korea, has been studied for its mineralogical characterization. It occurs in close association with penninite, phlogopite, diopside and garnet within the magnetite ore bodies, which are debeloped along the contact of the Hwajeol Formation and rhyolite. Two kinds of chondrodites are recognized by their different optical properties; the high birefringent untwinned one and the low birefringent twinned one. The former has slightly higher Mn content than the latter. Twinning in chondrodite has been formed in close relation to substitution Mg (Fe, Mn) in the humite solid solution, as evidenced by the chemical variation across the twin lamallae.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 1980

${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{18}O$ values were determined for the Paleozoic limestones (Great Linestone Series) from the Taebaegsan region and the age-unknown limestones (Janggun Formation) from the Janggun mine, Korea. Limestones of the Great Limestone Series exhibit a range of carbon isotopic composition from -4.5 +1.3‰ with a mean ${\delta}^{13}C$ value of -1.1‰, relative to the PDB standard, and of oxygen isotpic composition from +8.8 to +23.3‰ with a mean ${\delta}^{18}O$ value of +16.0‰, relative to the SMOW, falling into the normal marine limestone range according to Keith and Weber (1964), and Degens and Epstein(1964). Carbon isotopic composition of limestones of the Great Limestone Series becomes progressively lighter from Pungchon limestone of middle Cambrian age to mid-Ordovician Maggol limestone, possibly due to change in depositional environment in the Taebaegsan basin. Variation in isotopic composition of limestones from Hwajeol to Dumugal formation offers the possibility or deposition in shallow sea environment, in which fresh waters were added in several stages. Janggun limestone of unknown age may be corelated with the Paleozoic limestones of Great Limestone Series as infered from the istopic composition ranging from -2.8 to + 0.7‰ of ${\delta}^{13}C$ and +13.4 to +22.4‰ of ${\delta}^{18}O$.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.236-259
• /
• 2010

The examination of sediment distribution in Seongryu Cave shows existence of rocks contrasting with Joseon Supergroup contrary to existing knowledge. Contrasting especially with the Taeback Group, Daegi Formation, Hwajeol Formation, and Dongjeom Formation has been observed. Unlike Taeback area where Dumugol Formation and Makgol Formation are observed on top of Dongjeom Formation, the rocks of this area are not clear in its separation between the two, so that it was named Geunnam Formation. Seongryu Cave has been developed in this Ordovician Geunnam Formation of the Joseon Supergroup. The cave, mostly horizontal, runs in the NE-SW direction, and contains three lakes. The main passage and branches are about 330 m and 540 m, respectively, making the total length of the cave about 870 m (show cave area = 270 m). Through underwater examination, about 85 m-long underwater passage was newly discovered. Various speleothem such as soda straw, stalactite, stalagmite, column, flowstone, rimston, cave shield, cave coral, curtain, bacon sheet, cave pearl, cave flower, helictite and calcite raft can be found in the cave. There are sections with constant flow of cavern water, but the majority of cavern water in the cave come from the ceiling. The most important discovery in this study is the presence of various speleothem in the submerged part of cave passages. Traces of corrosion and/or erosion can be observed in the speleothem in the submerge passage.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.219-230
• /
• 1973

This paper reviews Professor O.J. Kim's work on "The stratigraphy and geologic structure of the Great Limestone Series in South Korea". Although he stated in his paper such as "very few geologists in Korea argue without confident evidences against the age and stratigraphy of the Great Limestone Series which have been rather well established previously in most parts of the regions", he disregarded the Jeongseon type of the Joseon (Chosen) System and modified the Yeongweol and the Pyeongchang types. According to his description, the Jeongseon type is not a different type and it is only due to structural repetition of the Hwajeol and Dumudong Formations of the Duwibong type and its Maggol Limestone. Also, he devided the Sambangsan Formation of the Yeongweol type into the east and west parts along the so-called Jeolgaesan fault, and they are correlated to the Hongjeom Series and Sesong Slate (Seison Slate) of Kobayashi, respectively. Furthermore he established newly Yeongweol type which includes the original Kobayashi's Yeongweol type and the Upper Limestone of the Pyeongchang type. Also, he pointed out that his newly established Yeongweol type is quite correlatable to the Duwibong type. The writer's opinion can be concluded that the Jeongseon type is not simply of structural repetition and structurely the Sambangsan Formation can not be devided into two parts. Also structurely there is no evidence of its correlation to the Sesong Slate as well as his conodont study in his Yeongweol type shows no indication of the correlation. The writer thinks that as to the stratigraphy of the Yeongweol and Jeongseon types of the Joseon System, it should be agreed with the Kobayashi's opinion or should be followed the idea of the very few geologists, he mentioned.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.189-204
• /
• 1982

The Geodo mine is located in the southern limb of the Hambaeg syncline. Geology of the area consists of Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary Rocks and Cretaceous igneous rocks. The important igneous rocks presumably related to skarnization and ore mineralization in the area, are the early granodiorite and the late porphyritic granodiorite. Two mineralogical types of ore deposits are recognized in the area. They are the Fe-Cu deposits in the Myobong formation and the Au-Bi-Cu deposits in the Hwajeol formation. Contact metamorphism due to granodiorite intrusion includes hornfelsization, exoskarnization and endoskarnization. Wall-rock alterations related to the Fe mineralization are grouped into the hydrothermal replacement skarnization and the hydrothermal filling skarnization. Another hydrothermal alteration is associated with the Cu mineralization. Various mineralogical analyses have been applied for the identification of minerals. They include optical microscopy, chemical analysis, etching test, X-ray diffraction, and infrared absorption spectroscopic analyses. The ore minerals in these ore deposits are classified into two groups;hypogene and supergene minerals. Hypogene minerals consist of magnetite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and chalcocite. Supergene minerals consist of chalcocite, bornite, and geothite. Ore minerals show various kinds of ore texture: open-space filling, exsolution, replacement, and cementation texture. The gangue minerals consist of quartz, diopside, epidote, garnet and plagioclase in the hornfelsic zone, garnet, diopside, scapolite, actinolite, sericite, chlorite, quartz, and calcite in the skarn zone, and, epidote, chlorite, sericite, quartz, and calcite in the late hydrothermal alteration zone. This study shows that the Fe-Cu deposits are of metasomatic pipe type with the later hydrothermal fillings, and the Au-Bi-Cu deposits are of hydrothermal fissure-filling type. The mineralization is probably related to the intrusion of porphyritic granite.