• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2020

The acquisition and processing of long-offset data are essential for imaging deep geological structures in marine seismic surveys. It is challenging to derive an accurate subsurface image by employing conventional data processing to long-offset data owing to the normal moveout (NMO) stretch and non-hyperbolic moveout phenomena induced by seismic anisotropy. In 2017, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources conducted a simultaneous two-dimensional multichannel streamer and ocean-bottom seismic survey using a 5.7-km streamer and an ocean-bottom seismometer to identify the deep geological structure of the Ulleung Basin. Herein, the actual geological subsurface structure was obtained via the sequential iterative updating of the velocity and anisotropic parameters of the long-offset data obtained using a multichannel streamer, and anisotropic prestack Kirchhoff migration was performed using the updated velocity and anisotropic parameters as input parameters. As a result, the reflection energy in the long-offset traces, which showed non-hyperbolic moveout owing to seismic anisotropy, was well aligned horizontally and NMO stretches were also reduced. Thus, a more precise and accurate migrated image was obtained, minimizing the distortion of reflectors and mispositioned reflection energy.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.99-108
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• 2022

Among induced polarization (IP) methods, spectral IP (SIP) uses alternating current as a transmission source to measure amplitudes and phase of complex electrical resistivity at each source frequency, which disperse with respect to source frequencies. The frequency dependence, which can be explained by a relaxation model such as Cole-Cole model or equivalent models, is analyzed to estimate SIP parameters from dispersion curves of complex resistivity employing multi-objective optimization (MOO). The estimation uses a generic algorithm to optimize two objective functions minimizing data misfits of amplitude and phase based on Cole-Cole model, which is most widely used to explain IP relaxation effects. The MOO-based estimation properly recovered Cole-Cole model parameters for synthetic examples but hardly fitted for the real laboratory measures ones, which have relatively smaller values of phases (less than about 10 mrad). Discrepancies between scales for data misfits of amplitude and phase, used as parameters of MOO method, and it is in necessity to employ other methods such as machine learning, which can deal with the discrepancies, to estimate SIP parameters from dispersion curves of complex resistivity.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.491-503
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• 2010

Geochemical characteristics of the Moisan epithermal gold-silver deposit with total 140 samples in Haenam area, Jeollanamdo were studied by using multivariate statistical analysis (correlation analysis, factor analysis and cluster analysis). The correlation analysis reveals that Ag, Cu, Bi, Te are highly correlated with Au in the both non-mineralized and mineralized zone. It is resulted from the presence of Au-Ag bearing minerals (electrum, sylvanite, calaverite and stuezite) and non Au-Ag containing minerals (chalcopyrite, tellurobismuthite and bismuthinite). Mo shows relatively much higher correlation at the mineralized zone (0.615) than non-mineralized zone (0.269) which implies Mo content is strongly affected by Au-mineralization. While Mn, Cs, Fe, Se correlated with Au at the nonmineralized zone, they have negative correlation at the mineralized zone. Therefore, they seem to be eluviated elements from the host rock during gold mineralization. Sb is enriched during the gold mineralization showing high correlation at the mineralized zone and negative correlation at the non-mineralized zone. According to the factor analysis, Se, Ag, Cs, Te are the indicators of gold mineralization presence due to the strong affection of gold content in the non-mineralized zone. In the mineralized zone, on the other hand, Mo, Te and Sb, Cu are the indicators of gold and silver mineralization, respectively. While the cluster analysis reveals that Cd-Zn-Pb-S, Bi-Fe-Cu-Mn, Se-Te-Au-Cs-Ag, As-Sb-Ba are the similar behavior elements groups in the non-mineralized zone, Cd-Zn-Mn-Pb, Fe-S-Se, As-Bi-Cs, Ag-Sb-Cu, Au-Te-Mo are the similar behavior elements groups in the mineralized zone. Using multivariate statistical analysis as mentioned above makes it possible to compare the behavior of presented minerals and difference of geochemical characteristics between mineralized and non-mineralized zone. Therefore, it will be expected a useful tool on the similar type of mining exploration.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.184-190
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• 2005

We have attempted to give some physical into the factors that control the response of subsurface target to plane wave excitation at VLF (very low frequency) frequencies. Although the VLF technique has some serious disadvantages, such as a lack of penetration depth and limited frequencies, its advantages are also extremely important to have made it by far the most popular electromagnetic technique in current use. In the magnetic-field measurement mode these lightweight, relatively low-priced tools allow us to survey large areas rapidly and inexpensively, to locate and roughly define subsurface electrical conductors. When used in the electric-field mode the technique is, in simple environments, capable of quantitative interpretation and once again the speed and relative cheapness of these devices makes them a natural 'first electromagnetic tool ' to use in reconnaissance mapping.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.383-394
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• 2014

The surface sediments from the manganese nodule exploration area of Korea in the Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone were investigated to understand the resource potential of and emplacement mechanism for rare earth elements (REEs). The sediments are categorized into three lithological units (Unit I, II and III from top to bottom), but into two groups (Unit I/II and Unit III) based on the distribution pattern of REEs. The distribution pattern of REEs in Unit I/II is similar to that of Post-Archean Australian Shale (PAAS), but shows a negative Ce anomaly and enrichment in heavy REEs (HREEs). In Unit III, the HREE enrichment and Ce anomaly is much more remarkable than Unit I/II when normalized to PAAS, which are interpreted as resulting from the absorption of REEs from seawater by Fe oxyhydroxides that were transported along the buoyant plume from remotely-located hydrothermal vents. It is supported by the PAAS-normalized REE pattern of Unit III which is similar to those of seawater and East Pacific Rise sediments. Meanwhile, the PAAS-normalized REE pattern of Unit I/II is explained by the 4:1 mixing of terrestrial eolian sediment and Unit III from each, indicating the much smaller contribution of hydrothermal origin material to Unit I/II. The studied sediments have the potentiality of a low-grade and large tonnage REE resource. However, the mining of REE-bearing sediment needs a large size extra collecting, lifting and treatment system to dress and refine low-grade sediments if the sediment is exploited with manganese nodules. It is economically infeasible to develop low-grade REE sediments at this moment in time because the exploitation of REE-bearing sediments with manganese nodules increase the mining cost.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.654-664
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• 2011

A field campaign of magnetotelluric (MT) and audio-frequency MT (AMT) survey was done at 36 measurement points as a complementary for the previous 44 MT measurements completed during the period of 2005-2006. The purpose of additional MT survey is to investigate the possible fracture system in Seokmo Island, which is conceived to be crucial in accumulation and migration of geothermal hot spring in this area. We have done 2D and 3D inversions of overall MT and AMT data distributed on a grid to interpret subsurface of extended area. The inversion results reveal that at least two major faults are imaged in the inversion results, one of which is in NNE-SWW with steep dip, and another is in E-W direction.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.359-373
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• 2013

Shale is considered as a source rock for conventional oil and gas exploration and development because shale is fine-grained detrital sedimentary rock which can preserve the organic matter better. Shale has a good sealing capacity for the petroleum trap due to its low permeability. Commercial recoveries of gas from shale in the North America based on the development of technologies of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing reveal that shale also function as a effective reservoir rock. Geochemical techniques to evaluate generation potential of the hydrocarbons from organic matter in the source rocks can be applied for the exploration of the shale gas resources. To evaluate shale gas resources, it is important to understand various geochemical processes and shale characteristics controlling generation, storage and estimation of shale gas reserves. In this paper, the generation mechanism of the oil and gas from organic matter is reviewed, and geochemical techniques which can be applied for the evaluation and characterization of shale gas are introduced.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.181-191
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• 2014

Olon Ovoot gold mine, Mongolia, is located in the Omnogobi province which is south 500 km from Ulaanbaatar. The mine area consists of the Devonian Bot-Uul khudag formation, the Upper Devonian intrusions, and the Upper Devonian or the Early Jurassic quartz veins. The quartz veins contain from 1 to 32 g/t gold with an average of 5 g/t gold. The quartz veins vary from 0.2 m to 25 m and are concordant or discordant with foliation of the green-schist. The mineralogy of the quartz veins is simple and consists of mainly of white massive quartz with partly transparent quartz in cavity. Quartz, sericite, chlorite, pyrite and carbonates(ankerite, dolomite and siderite) were observed in the alteration zone. Carbonate minerals occur as disseminated, coarse or fine grains with quartz, sericite, chlorite and pyrite near vein margin or within wall-rock xenoliths in quartz vein. Ankerite is present as later dark grey ankerite(13.51 to 16.89 wt.% FeO) and early white grey ankerite(16.67 to 19.90 wt.% FeO). The FeO contents of early ankerite are higher than those of later ankerite. Dolomite contains from 3.89 to 10.44 wt.% FeO and from 0.10 to 0.47 wt.% MnO. Dolomite is present as dark grey dolomite(4.06 to 6.87 wt.% FeO), light white grey dolomite(6.74 to 7.58 wt.% FeO) and grey white dolomite(7.33 to 10.44 wt.% FeO). The FeO contents of white grey dolomite are higher than those of dark grey dolomite. Siderite contains from 34.25 to 48.66 wt.% FeO, from 6.79 to 14.38 wt.% MgO, from 0.06 to 0.26 wt.% MnO and from 2.08 to 8.08 wt.% CaO.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2014

We analyzed response patterns of test field data acquired with new small loop electromagnetic (EM) system using three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic modeling code. The size and shape of a conductor was adopted as experimental parameters for EM modeling to understand influencing factors of the response patterns due to a metallic object on the seafloor. Obtaining the responses for four models of difference sizes and shapes through 3D EM modeling, we confirmed that the shape of the object have a more critical factor on the response pattern than size. We also calculated "ppm" values with respect to different altitudes of the sensor and source frequencies. The modeling results show that the consistency of sensor altitude is important and imaginary part of ppm response is more sensitive than real part. We also visualized the contour map of the real and imaginary part of ppm value as a function of frequency and altitude so that we can estimate proper altitude for source frequency band of our survey system. The results of this paper are anticipated to give proper parameters in survey construction for seafloor massive sulfide deposit.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2011

Attention has been focused on geothermal energy as an alternative energy because it is continuously operable without external supply. Most of geothermal anomalies in Korea are related to deep circulation of groundwater through a fracture system in granite area. Therefore it is very important to understand the distribution of the fracture system which is the main channel of ground water. In this research, we constructed the velocity models with a fracture system and the layered sediments, respectively, and generated synthetic data sets with them to verify the presented vertical seismic profiling (VSP) preprocessing scheme. We compared the results from conventional VSP preprocessing flow to those from VSP preprocessing flow considering fracture system. We noticed that the preprocessing flow considering fracture system retains more sufficient signal including down-going wave than conventional preprocessing. In addition, we applied 3D VSP prestack phase screen migration to the preprocessed reversed VSP (RVSP) data from Seokmo Island so that we were able to image fracture structure of the geothermal site in Seokmo Island.