Abstract
The Late Carboniferous Manhang Formation is distributed in Samchok (Samcheog), Tanyang (Danyang), Chongson (Jeongseon), Kangnung (Gangreung), and Munkyong (Mungyeong) coalfields. The chemical compositions of the Manhang Formation sandstones were analyzed to infer the original sediment composition and tectonic setting of provenance. Sandstones in the five coalfields have similar chemical compositions suggesting a common provenance. On the basis of Al2O3 content, two groups of sandstones are differentiated: high alumina and low alumina groups. The former occurs in the Samchok and Tanyang coalfields; the latter in the Chongson and Kangnung coalfields. The absence of detrital alkali feldspar in the Manhang sandstones is evidenced by very low Na2O content. The geochemical characteristics support the petrographic results of Lee and Lim (1995). Normative mineralogy and discriminant function analysis indicate that the Manhang sandstones were derived from the quartzose sedimentary provenance in a recycled orogenic setting. Also, a passive continental margin tectonic setting is suggested by the K2O/Na2O−SiO2 discrimination diagram; however, such a setting is more applicable to the previous cycle before orogeny.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Argast, S. and Donnelly, T.W., 1987, The chemical discrimination of clastic sedimentary components. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 57, 813–823.
Bhatia, M.R., 1983, Plate tectonics and geochemical composition of sandstones. Journal of Geology, 91, 611–627.
Cheong, C.H., 1974, Stratigraphy and paleontology of the Samcheog coalfield, Gangwon-do, Korea (II). Journal of National Academy of Science, Republic of Korea, Natural Science Series, XIII, 21–37. (in Korean)
Cheong, C.H., 1988. Pyeongan Supergroup. In: Lee, D.S. (ed.), Geology of Korea. Kyohak-Sa and Geological Society of Korea, Seoul, p. 85–148.
Cluzel, D., 1991, Late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic geodynamic evolution of the Circum-Pacific orogenic belt in South Korea and southwest Japan. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 108, 289–305.
Cox, R. and Lowe, D.R., 1996, Quantification of the effects of secondary matrix on the analysis of sandstone composition, and a petrographic-chemical technique for retrieving original framework grain modes of altered sandstones. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 66, 548–558.
Dickinson, W.R., Beard, L.S., Brakenridge, G.R., Erjavec, J.L., Ferguson, R.C., Inman, K.F., Knepp, R.A., Lindberg, F.A. and Ryberg, P.T., 1983, Provenance of North American Phanerozoic sandstones in relation to tectonic setting. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 94, 222–235.
Kim, N.J., Chai, S.O. and Kang, P.J., 1967, Geological Map of Korea Munkyong Sheet (1∶50,000). Geological Survey of Korea, Seoul, 37 p.
Lee, Y.I. and Kim, D.W., 1998, Provenance of Pyeongan Supergroup (late Paleozoic) sandstones in Yeongweol coalfield, Korea. Geoscience Journal, 2, 68–77.
Lee, Y.I. and Lim, C., 1995, Provenance and compositional variance of the Carboniferous Manhang sandstones, central eastern Korea. Journal of Geological Society of Korea, 31, 637–652.
Lee, Y.I. and Sheen, D.H., 1998, Detrital modes of the Pyeongan Supergroup (Late Carboniferous Early Triassic) sandstones in the Samcheog coalfield, Korea: implications for provenance and tectonic setting. Sedimentary Geology, 119, 219–238.
Lim, C., 1994, Petrology and Provenance of Carboniferous Manhang Sandstones, Korea. M.S. thesis, Seoul National University, Seoul, 122 p.
Nathan, S., 1976, Geochemistry of the Greenland Group (Early Ordovician), New Zealnad. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 19, 683–706.
Nesbitt, H.W. and Young, G.M., 1982, Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutites. Nature, 299, 715–717.
Roser, B.P. and Korsch, R.J., 1986, Determination of tectonic setting of sandstone-mudstone suites using SiO2 content and K2O/Na2O ratio. Journal of Geology, 94, 635–650.
Roser, B.P. and Korsch, R.J., 1988, Provenance signatures of sandstone-mudstone determined using discriminant function analysis of major-element data. Chemical Geology, 67, 119–139.
van de Kamp, P.C. and Leake, B.E., 1995, Petrology and geochemistry of siliciclastic rocks of mixed feldspathic and ophiolitic provenance in the Northern Apennines, Italy. Chemical Geology, 122, 1–20.
Weaver, C.E. and Pollard, L.D., 1973, The Chemistry of Clay Minerals. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 213 p.
Yang, S.Y., Lee, H.Y. and Cheong, C.H., 1984, Invertebrate fossil fauna from the late Paleozoic formations of South Korea. Journal of National Academy of Science, Republic of Korea, Natural Science Series, XXII, 137–165. (in Korean)
Yu, K.M., Lee, G.-H. and Boggs, S., Jr., 1997, Petrology of late Paleozoic-early Mesozoic Pyeongan Group sandstones, Gohan area, South Korea and its provenance and tectonic implication. Sedimentary Geology, 109, 321–338.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lee, Y.I. Geochemical characteristics of the Manhang Formation (Late Carboniferous) sandstones, Korea: implication for provenance. Geosci J 3, 87–94 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02914264
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02914264