• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.171-181
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• 2022

The Geochang Au-Ag deposit is located within the Yeongnam Massif. Within the area a number of hydrothermal quartz and calcite veins were formed by narrow open-space filling of parallel and subparallel fractures in the granitic gneiss and/or gneissic granite. Mineral paragenesis can be divided into two stages (stage I, ore-bearing quartz vein; stage II, barren calcite vein) by major tectonic fracturing. Stage I, at which the precipitation of major ore minerals occurred, is further divided into three substages (early, middle and late) with paragenetic time based on minor fractures and discernible mineral assemblages: early, marked by deposition of pyrite with minor pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite; middle, characterized by introduction of electrum and base-metal sulfides with minor sulfosalts; late, marked by hematite with base-metal sulfides. Fluid inclusion data show that stage I ore mineralization was deposited between initial high temperatures (≥380℃ ) and later lower temperatures (≤210℃ ) from H₂O-CO₂-NaCl fluids with salinities between 7.0 to 0.7 equiv. wt. % NaCl of Geochang hydrothermal system. The relationship between salinity and homogenization temperature indicates a complex history of boiling, fluid unmixing (CO₂ effervescence), cooling and dilution via influx of cooler, more dilute meteoric waters over the temperature range ≥380℃ to ≤210℃. Changes in stage I vein mineralogy reflect decreasing temperature and fugacity of sulfur by evolution of the Geochang hydrothermal system with increasing paragenetic time. The Geochang deposit may represents a mesothermal gold-silver deposit.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.405-429
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• 2022

Detrital zircon LA-MC-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of the Cretaceous Gurye Group, Gurye Basin, was carried out. Gurye Group consists of Supyeongri, Geumjeongri, Togeum, and Obongsan formations in ascending order, and five samples were collected for age dating. Based on the dating results, the lowermost Supyeongri and the uppermost Obongsan formations show narrow age ranges. Only Precambrian and Late Cretaceous zircons were found in the Supyeongri and Obongsan formations, respectively. However, the upper and lower Geumjeongri, and Togeum formations show wide age ranges from the Precambrian to Cretaceous. The youngest detrital zircon U-Pb ages of each formation except the Supyeongri Formation, which lacks Cretaceous zircon, were calculated to be ca. 107.4 Ma in the lower Geumjeongri Formation, ca. 104.6 Ma in the upper Geumjeongri Formation, ca. 97.7 Ma in the Togeum Formation, and ca. 88.5 Ma in the Obongsan Formation. Such results indicate that the depositional age of the Gurye Group can be constrained from the Lower Cretaceous Albian to the Upper Cretaceous Coniacian. Based on the distribution of the detrital zircon ages from each formation, the source area of the Gurye Group is interpreted to have been extended from the adjacent Youngnam Massif to the Okcheon Belt throughout the basin evolution. The increase of the Cretaceous zircon with time is thought to reflect the slab roll-back of the proto-Pacific plate during the Cretaceous.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.689-699
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• 2022

The Ssangjeon tungsten deposit is located within the Yeongnam Massif. Within the area a number of hydrothermal quartz veins were formed by narrow open-space filling of parallel and subparallel fractures in the metasedimentary rocks as Wonnam formation, Buncheon granite gneiss, amphibolite and/or pegmatite. Mineral paragenesis can be divided into two stages (stage I, ore-bearing quartz vein; stage II, barren quartz vein) by major tectonic fracturing. Stage I, at which the precipitation of major ore minerals occurred, is further divided into three substages (early, middle and late) with paragenetic time based on minor fractures and discernible mineral assemblages: early, marked by deposition of arsenopyrite with pyrite; middle, characterized by introduction of wolframite and scheelite with Ti-Fe-bearing oxides and base-metal sulfides; late, marked by Bi-sulfides. Fluid inclusion data show that stage I ore mineralization was deposited between initial high temperatures (≥370℃) and later lower temperatures (≈170℃) from H₂O-CO₂-NaCl fluids with salinities between 18.5 to 0.2 equiv. wt. % NaCl of Ssangjeon hydrothermal system. The relationship between salinity and homogenization temperature indicates a complex history of boiling, fluid unmixing (CO₂ effervescence), cooling and dilution via influx of cooler, more dilute meteoric waters over the temperature range ≥370℃ to ≈170℃. Changes in stage I vein mineralogy reflect decreasing temperature and fugacity of sulfur by evolution of the Ssangjeon hydrothermal system with increasing paragenetic time.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1-15
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• 2011

This work is to review the granite landforms studies by Korean geographers. It is verified that geomorphlogical characteristics of granite present landscapes characterized by 1) in case of mountains, are difficultly or irregularly weathered, so as to develop rocky forms such as domes, cliffs, and tors ; 2) in case of stream valley that is inter-massif lowland, low relief hills and flood plains with alluvium. All these facts owe to the difference of weathering mode granite properties. The granite hills and alluvial plains of southwestern coastal parts in Korean peninsula is low undulatory and large owing not only to the existence of highly weathered granitic regolith, but also to frequent flooding. Cultivated brownish field, orchard, meadow and forest are located at granite hills. On the other hand paddy rice field at granite alluvial plains. Korean peninsula have endured erodible geomorphlogical processes since Miocene when warping it up. Therefore many intermontane basins are located on the weathered granite areas which are surrounded by mountains composed of much less Precambrian gneiss complex. In fact, intermontane basin is mainly linear fault-line valley. The landforms of the intermontane basins are characterized by gentle piedmont slopes, alluvial fans, fluvial terraces and alluvial plains.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.831-846
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• 2023

The Jucheon-Pyeongchang area in the northwestern Taebaeksan Zone of the Okcheon fold-thrust belt preserved several thrust faults placing the Precambrian basement granite gneisses of the Gyeonggi Massif on top of the Early Paleozoic Joseon Supergroup and the age-unknown Bangrim Group. Especially, the thrust faults in the study area show the closed-loop patterns on the map view, showing older allochthonous strata surrounded by younger autochthonous or para-autochthonous strata. These basement-involved thrusts including Klippes will provide important information on the hinterland portion of the fold-thrust belt. For defining Klippe geometry in the thrust fault terrains of the Jucheon-Pyeongchang area by older on younger relationship, the stratigraphic position of the age-unknown Bangrim Group should be determined. The Middle Cambrian maximum depositional age by the detrital zircon SHRIMP U-Pb method from this study, together with field relations and previous research results suggest that the Bangrim Group overlies the Precambrian basement rocks by nonconformity and underlies the Cambrian Yangdeok Group (Jangsan and Myobong formations). The structural geometric interpretation of the Pyeongchang area based on newly defined stratigraphy indicates that the Wungyori and Barngrim thrusts are the same folded thrust, and can be interpreted as a Klippe, having Precambrian hanging wall granite gneisses surrounded by younger Cambrian strata of the Joseon Supergroup and the Bangrim Group. Further detailed structural studies on the Jucheon-Pyeongchang area can give crucial insights into the basement-involved deformation during the structural evolution of the Okcheon Belt.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.317-333
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• 2014

The Pocheon iron (-copper) deposit, located at the northwestern part of the Precambrian Gyeonggi massif in South Korea, genetically remains controversial. Previous researchers advocated a metamorphosed (-exhalative) sedimentary origin for iron enrichment. In this study, we present strong evidences for skarnification and Fe mineralization, spatially associated with the Myeongseongsan granite. The Pocheon deposit is composed of diverse carbonate rocks such as dolostone and limestone which are partially overprinted by various hydrothermal skarns such as sodic-calcic, calcic and magnesian skarn. Iron (-copper) mineralization occurs mainly in the sodic-calcic skarn zone, locally superimposed by copper mineralization during retrograde stage of skarn. Age data determined on phlogopites from retrograde skarn stage by Ar-Ar and K-Ar methods range from $110.3{\pm}1.0Ma$ to $108.3{\pm}2.8Ma$, showing that skarn iron mineralization in the Pocheon is closely related to the shallow-depth Myeongseongsan granite (ca. 112 Ma). Carbon-oxygen isotopic depletions of carbonates in marbles, diverse skarns, and veins can be explained by decarbonation and interaction with an infiltrating hydrothermal fluids in open system ($XCO_2=0.1$). The results of sulfur isotope analyses indicate that both of sulfide (chalcopyrite-pyrite composite) and anhydrites in skarn have very high sulfur isotope values, suggesting the $^{34}S$ enrichment of the Pocheon sulfide and sulfate sulfur was derived from sulfate in the carbonate protolith. Shear zones with fractures in the Pocheon area channeled the saline, high $fO_2$ hydrothermal fluids, resulting in locally developed intense skarn alteration at temperature range of about $500^{\circ}$ to $400^{\circ}C$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.335-349
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• 2014

The Pocheon skarn deposit, located at the northwestern part of the Precambrian Gyeonggi massif in South Korea, occurs at the contact between the Cretaceous Myeongseongsan granite and the Precambrian carbonate rocks, and is also controlled by N-S-trending shear zone. The skarn distribution and mineralogy reflects both structural and lithological controls. Three types of skarn formations based on mineral assemblages in the Pocheon skarn exist; a sodiccalcic skarn and a magnesian skarn mainly developed in the dolostone, and a calcic skarn developed in the limestone. Iron mineralization occurs in the sodic-calcic and magnesian skarn zone, locally superimposed by copper mineralization during retrograde skarn stage. The sodic-calcic skarn is composed of acmite, diopside, albite, garnet, magnetite, maghemite, anhydrite, apatite, and sphene. Retrograde alteration consists of tremolite, phlogopite, epidote, sericite, gypum, chlorite, quartz, calcite, and sulfides. Magnesian skarn mainly consists of diopside and forsterite. Pyroxene and olivine are mainly altered to tremolite, with minor phlogopite, talc, and serpentine. The calcic skarn during prograde stage mainly consists of garnet, pyroxene and wollastonite. Retrograde alteration consists of epidote, vesuvianite, amphibole, biotite, magnetite, chlorite, quartz, calcite, and sulfides. Microprobe analyses indicate that the majority of the Pocheon skarn minerals are enriched by Na-Mg composition and have high $Fe^{3+}/Fe^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}/Fe^{2+}$, and $Al^{3+}/Fe^{2+}$ ratios. Clinopyroxene is acmitic and diopsidic composition, whereas garnet is relatively grossular-rich. Amphiboles are largely of tremolite, pargasite, and magnesian hastingsite composition. The prograde anhydrous skarn assemblages formed at about $400^{\circ}{\sim}500^{\circ}C$ in a highly oxidized environment ($fO_2=10^{-23}{\sim}10^{-26}$) under a condition of about 0.5 kbar pressure and $X(CO_2)=0.10$. With increasing fluid/rock interaction during retrograde skarn, epidote, amphibole, sulfides and calcite formed as temperature decreased to approximately $250^{\circ}{\sim}400^{\circ}C$ at $X(CO_2)=0.10$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.409-428
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• 2018

Yeongdong area is located on the border zone between Precambrian Yeongnam massif and central southeastern Ogcheon metamorphic belt, in which Cretaceous Yeongdong sedimentary basin exists. Main geology in this area consists of Precambrian Sobaeksan gneiss complex, Mesozoic igneous and sedimentary rocks and Quaternary alluvial deposits. Above this, age-unknown Ogcheon Supergroup, Paleozoic sedimentary rocks and Tertiary granites also occur in small scale in the northwestern part. This study focuses on the link between the various geology and Rn concentrations in groundwater. For this, twenty wells in alluvial/weathered zone and sixty bedrock aquifer wells were used. Groundwater sampling campaigns were twice run at wet season in August 2015 and dry season in March 2016. Some wells placed in alluvial/weathered part of Precambrian metamorphic rocks and Jurassic granite terrains, as well as Cretaceous porphyry, showed elevated Rn concentrations in groundwater. However, detailed geology showed the distinct feature that these high-Rn groundwaters in metamorphic and granitic terrains are definitely related to proximity of aquifer rocks to Cretaceous porphyry in the study area. The deeper wells placed in bedrock aquifer showed that almost the whole groundwaters in biotite gneiss and schist of Sobaeksan gneiss complex and in Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of Yeongdong basin have low level of Rn concentrations. On the other hand, groundwaters occurring in rock types of granitic gneiss or granite gneiss among Sobaeksan gneiss complex have relatively high Rn concentrations. And also, groundwaters occurring in the border zone between Triassic Cheongsan granites and two-mica granites, and in Jurassic granites neighboring Cretaceous porphyry have relatively high Rn concentrations. Therefore, to get probable and meaningful results for the link between Rn concentrations in groundwater and surrounding geology, quite detailed geology including small-scaled dykes or vein zones should be considered. Furthermore, it is necessary to take account of the spatial proximity of well location to igneous rocks associated with some mineralization/hydrothermal alteration zone rather than in-situ geology itself.

• 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.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.3_4
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• pp.103-120
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• 2002

In the Baekdong-Hongseong area, the southwestern part of the Gyeonggi Massif in Korea, ultramafic rocks occur as lenses within Precambrian granitic gneiss. At Baekdong area, ultramafic lens contains metabasite boudin which had undergone at least three stages of metamorphisms. The mineral assemblage on the first stage, Garnet+Sodic Augite+Hornblende+Plagioclase+Titanite, is recognized from the inclusions in garnet. The second stage is represented by the assemblage in matrix, Garnet+ Augite+Hornblende+Plagioclase, while the third stage is identified by the Hornblende+Plagjoclase $\pm$ Garnet assemblage in the symplectite formed around garnet. The P-T conditions of the first and the third stages are $690-780^{\circ}C$, 11.8-15.9 kb and $490-610^{\circ}C$, 4.0-6.3 kb, respectively. These data indicate that metabasite in Baekdong area had experienced a retrouade P-T path from the eclogite(EG) - high-pressure granulite (HG)-amphibolite (AM) transitional facies to the AM through HG-AM transitional facies. The core and rim of garnet in country granitic gneiss give $605-815^{\circ}C$, 10.7-16.0 kb and $575-680^{\circ}C$, 5.4-7.0 kb, respectively, indicating that the retrograde P-T path of granitic gneiss is similar to that of metabasite. Trace element data reveals that the tectonic setting of metabasite is island uc. The general geology, the metamorphic evolution, the mineral chemistry and the tectonic setting of Baekdong area indicate that the Baekdong-Hongseong area in Korea is a possible extension of the Sulu collision Belt in China. On the other hand, the Sm-Nd whole rock-garnet isochron ages of metabasites are 268.7-297.9 Ma which are older than the ages of UHP metamorphism (208-245 Ma) in the Dabie-Sulu Collision Belt. The older metamorphic ages suggest that collision between Sino-Korea and Yangtz plates may have occurred earlier in Korean Peninsula than China.