Study on Source of Lava Flows Forming the Manjanggul Lava Tube

The lava flows forming the Manjanggul lava tube are commonly said to have a potential source from the Geomunoreum scoria cone. We inferred the source of lava flows with the Manjanggul lava tube, based on many studies about lava tubes within lava flows of active volcano in the world. We made a lava flow field map from lithofacies, features and latitude of lava surfaces in the northeastern part of Jeju Island, and then examined closely the distribution and mutual relation of lava tubes in each lava flow field. As result, the Geomunoreum lava tube system is divided into a series of master tubes(Utsanjeungul, Bukoreumgul, Daerimdonggul, Manjanggul, Gimnyeonggul, Yongcheondonggul and Dangcheomuldonggul lava tube), a complicated networks of small tubes(Bengdwigul lava tube), and a series of unitary tubes(Gimyeongbilemotgul~Gaeusaemgul lava tube) in Geomunoreum lava flows. Particularly a canyon, 2km in length to NNE direction from the Geomunoreum scoria cone, is interpreted to be collapse trench of lava tube roof that belongs to an upflow part of the master tube in the Geomunoreum lava tube system, according to the location and direction. Accordingly, the source of lava flows, forming the Manjanggul lava tube, is the Geomunoreum scoria cone

Causes of Decline in the Korean Fir Based on Spatial Distribution in the Mt. Halla Region in Korea: A Meta-Analysis

Research Highlights: Technology advances have allowed for a new approach to research the decline of the Korean fir (Abies koreana E.H.Wilson). This study provides insights into the exact causes leading to this decline. Background and Objectives: Various factors could lead to the decline of fir trees around Mt. Halla, Korea, but these have not yet been verified. Here, the Korean fir across Mt. Halla were classified as dead or living and mapped using high-resolution orthorectified aerial images and three-dimensional (3D) stereoplotting. Materials and Methods: Aerial photographs were used to map spatial distribution and analyze the distribution patterns and mortality of the Korean fir. The electronic stereoplotting program (Geo3Di-PRO) enabled the creation of 3D images from aerial photographs. General, altitudinal, and topographical distribution was assessed. Results: Their accumulated percent mortality rate (APMR) showed positive correlations with altitude and tree density, a negative correlation with terrain slope, and no consistent correlation with solar radiation. The results indicate that increases in the density of Korean firs are related to decreased growth in areas at high altitude, on gentle slopes, and with high solar radiation. Consistent positive correlations between density and APMR indicate that fir mortality can be attributed to environmental deterioration and the establishment of unfavorable growth conditions. Areas with high APMR and density had gentle slopes, thus high soil moisture, or relatively high annual precipitation owing to high altitude. Conclusion: Fir mortality on Mt. Halla can be attributed to long-term persistently high rainfall and subsequent excess soil moisture

Study on Source of Lava Flows Forming the Manjanggul Lava Tube

The lava flows forming the Manjanggul lava tube are commonly said to have a potential source from the Geomunoreum scoria cone. We inferred the source of lava flows with the Manjanggul lava tube, based on many studies about lava tubes within lava flows of active volcano in the world. We made a lava flow field map from lithofacies, features and latitude of lava surfaces in the northeastern part of Jeju Island, and then examined closely the distribution and mutual relation of lava tubes in each lava flow field. As result, the Geomunoreum lava tube system is divided into a series of master tubes(Utsanjeungul, Bukoreumgul, Daerimdonggul, Manjanggul, Gimnyeonggul, Yongcheondonggul and Dangcheomuldonggul lava tube), a complicated networks of small tubes(Bengdwigul lava tube), and a series of unitary tubes(Gimyeongbilemotgul~Gaeusaemgul lava tube) in Geomunoreum lava flows. Particularly a canyon, 2km in length to NNE direction from the Geomunoreum scoria cone, is interpreted to be collapse trench of lava tube roof that belongs to an upflow part of the master tube in the Geomunoreum lava tube system, according to the location and direction. Accordingly, the source of lava flows, forming the Manjanggul lava tube, is the Geomunoreum scoria cone

Laser ablation MC-ICPMS U-Th and U-Th-Pb dating of Quaternary zircons from Jeju Island, Korea

Abstract Background Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) emerged in the mid-1980s and rapidly became a crucial dating tool. The advent of femtosecond LA systems has substantially reduced volatility-dependent mass fractionation. This study showcases U-Th and U-Th-Pb dating results of Quaternary zircons collected from Jeju Island, Korea, utilizing an advanced femtosecond laser-connected multi-collector (MC)-ICPMS. Findings Zircon grains from trachyte samples near the Baeknokdam lake (JJ616-1), Yeongsil (JJ08-1), Chunwangsa (JJ09-1), and Oraidong (JJ09-3) provided weighted mean 238U-230Th ages of 28.7 ± 1.6 ka (n = 56/64, MSWD = 3.8), 81.8 ± 10.9 ka (n = 11/12, MSWD = 1.6), 92.6 ± 4.6 ka (n = 49/51, MSWD = 2.2), and 117.6 ± 8.2 ka (n = 48/50, MSWD = 3.2), respectively. The age determination for JJ08-1 zircon aligned well with the recommended value (82 ± 6 ka). Zircons from Sanbangsan (JJ615-1) and Wonmansa (JJ08-2) trachytes yielded common Pb and radioactive disequilibrium-corrected weighted mean 238U-206Pb ages of 785 ± 5 ka (n = 27/28, MSWD = 0.90) and 743 ± 8 ka (n = 28/30, MSWD = 0.79), respectively. The weighted mean 238U-206Pb ages of Penglai and 61.308 reference zircons were determined to be 4226 ± 21 ka (n = 22/25, MSWD = 3.8) and 2488 ± 20 ka (n = 19/20, MSWD = 1.8), respectively. These ages are concordant with the recommended values. Conclusions Our data provides additional evidence of trachyte magmatism occurring in Jeju Island during the transitional period between the Early and Middle Pleistocene and the Late Pleistocene. The zircon samples analyzed in this study could serve as reference age data for Quaternary geochronology research

Jeju Island Geopark - A Volcanic Wonder of Korea

VII, 88 p. 161 illus., 60 illus. in color.online

A new approach to SHRIMP II zircon U-Th disequilibrium dating

U-Th disequilibrium dating of zircon is used to determine the crystallisation age of zircon crystals which formed ≲350 ka. In this work we present a new analytical and data reduction workflow for zircon U-Th disequilibrium analysis using a Sensitive High Resolution Ion MicroProbe (SHRIMP), specifically the SHRIMP II instrument at Curtin University. This is the first zircon U-Th disequilibrium work carried out on the SHRIMP II, and the workflow was investigated with both 3 nA and 6 nA primary beam intensities, using an inverted mass run sequence (from high to low mass). The data reduction was affected by complex background corrections on the 230Th mass peak, extremely low counts on 230Th, and by a logarithmic high mass tail from shouldering mass peaks. A new approach to data reduction and a new computer program (Crayfish) written in Python is presented to address these complexities. Crayfish aids in visualisation of the raw count data from SHRIMP.pd files, allowing for more interaction with raw data during reduction, and formally propagates uncertainties from measurements to age. A case study testing the new approach was undertaken using trachytic samples from Jeju Island, South Korea, an active volcanic field and a UNESCO world heritage site. The newly derived SHRIMP crystallisation ages of 13 ± 27 to 212 ± 324 ka (2σ uncertainties) replicate measurements performed using a CAMECA IMS 1280

The Liverwort and Hornwort Flora of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea: A Volcanic Island with a Unique Mixture of Subtropical, Temperate, Boreal, and Arctomontane Taxa

Jeju Island, due to its position at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula in Northeast Asia, is a on the unique enclave of the many southern elements in the area and features a mixture of subtropical, temperate, boreal, and arctomontane taxa. Among the arctomontane species recorded in this study was Anthelia juratzkana; among the temperate species was Dactyloradula brunnea, and subtropical species were Cavicularia densa, Pallavicinia subciliata, Wiesnerella denudata, and Megaceros flagellaris. A valuable species as first recorded for the Jeju Island is Cryptocoleopsis imbricata. The distribution patterns of these species suggest that the flora of Jeju Island is a meeting place between boreal and subtropical floras. We recorded 222 taxa belonging to 45 families, 80 genera, 209 species, 9 subspecies, and 4 varieties. Among these, 86 species are reported as new to the flora of Jeju Island. A checklist based on a study of 1697 specimens is also provided