Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effect of frost weathering at the dinosaur tracksite in Seoyu-ri, Hwasun, Korea

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Cultural monuments and geological heritage sites composed of natural stone are severely affected by frost weathering in cold regions or during the winter season in mid-altitude regions. The effect also occurs at the dinosaur tracksite in Seoyu-ri, Hwasun, Korea, which is not sheltered. To assess the influence of frost weathering on the tracksite, freeze–thaw experiments were carried out in the laboratory up to 100 cycles, simulating geological and meteorological conditions of the site. The variation on physical properties were measured at a core scale as weathering progressed. The decreases in dry weight, P- and S-wave velocity, and elastic modulus, and the increase in absorption rate and Poisson’s ratio showed the physical deterioration of the specimens. The microstructural properties were also measured using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images as weathering progressed. The variation on porosity (especially open porosity), pore size distribution, local thickness, and crack orientation showed the propagation and expansion of the pores and microcracks in rock specimens at a pore scale. Because every measurement was performed using non-destructive methods, the variation on the same specimens can be analyzed continuously. The results showed that frost weathering can cause damage to the tracksites. This research, therefore, suggests the construction of a shelter to maintain the temperature of the tracksite and to prevent groundwater seepage. This research can be applied to assess the effects of frost weathering at other cultural stone heritage or geological heritage sites.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altindag R, Alyildiz IS, Onargan T (2004) Mechanical property degradation of ignimbrite subjected to recurrent freeze–thaw cycles. Int J Rock Mech Min 41:1023–1028. doi:10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.03.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bland W, Rolls D (1998) Weathering: Am introduction to the scientific principles. Arnold, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown ET (1981) Rock characterization testing & monitoring. Pergamon Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Camuffo D (2014) Microclimate for cultural geritage. Elsevier, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson GP, Nye JF (1985) A photoelastic study of ice pressure in rock cracks. Cold Reg Sci Technol 11:141–153. doi:10.1016/0165-232X(85)90013-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Kock T, Boone MA, De Schryver T, Van Stappen J, Derluyn H, Masschaele B, De Schutter G, Cnudde V (2015) A pore-scale study of fracture dynamics in rock using X-ray micro-CT under ambient freeze–thaw cycling. Environ Sci Technol 49:2867–2874. doi:10.1021/es505738d

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delerue JF, Perrier E, Yu ZY, Velde B (1999) New algorithms in 3D image analysis and their application to the measurement of a spatialized pore size distribution in soils. Phys Chem Earth Pt A 24:639–644

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fagerland G (1973) Determination of pore-size distribution from freezing-point depression. Matér et Constr 6:215–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • French HM (2007) The periglacial environment. Wiley, West Sussex

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Grassegger G (1999) Decay mechanisms of natural building stones on monuments: A review of the latest theories. In: Stumpp S, Krüger M, Große C (ed) Werkstoffe und Werkstoffprüfung im Bauwesen. Institut für Werkstoffe im Bauwesen, Universität Stuttgart, Stuttgart, pp 54–81

  • Hall K (1999) The role of thermal stress fatigue in the breakdown of rock in cold regions. Geomorphology 31:47–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houck KJ, Lockley MG (2006) Life in an active volcanic arc: petrology and sedimentology of dinosaur track beds in the Jindong Formation (Cretaceous), Gyeongsang Basin, South Korea. Cretac Res 27:102–122. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2005.10.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huh M, Paik IS, Lockley MG, Hwang KG, Kim BS, Kwak SK (2006) Well-preserved theropod tracks from the Upper Cretaceous of Hwasun County, southwestern South Korea, and their paleobiological implications. Cretac Res 27:123–138. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2005.10.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim BS, Huh M (2010) Analysis of the acceleration phase of a theropod dinosaur based on a Cretaceous trackway from Korea. Palaeogeogr Palaeocl 293:1–8. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.04.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim JY, Lockley MG (2012) New sauropod tracks (Brontopodus pentadactylus ichnosp. nov.) from the early cretaceous haman formation of Jinju Area, Korea: implications for sauropods manus morphology. Ichnos 19:84–92. doi:10.1080/10420940.2012.664056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim BK, Park BK (1966) The geological map of Dongbok sheet (1:50,000). Geological Survey of Korea, Seoul (in Korean)

  • Lee SK, Park HD (2014) Comparison of observation and laboratory slaking tests in the assessment of coastal erosion in Cheju Island, Korea. Geosyst Eng 17:136–141. doi:10.1080/12269328.2014.931258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lockley MG, Huh M, Kim BS (2012) Ornithopodichnus and pes-only sauropod trackways from the hwasun tracksite, cretaceous of Korea. Ichnos 19:93–100. doi:10.1080/10420940.2011.625726

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez-Martínez J, Benavente D, Gomez-Heras M, Marco-Castaño L, García-del-Cura MÁ (2013) Non-linear decay of building stones during freeze–thaw weathering processes. Constr Build Mater 38:443–454. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.07.059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masuoka N (1990) Mechanisms of rock breakdown by frost action: an experimental approach. Cold Reg Sci Technol 17:253–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minter NJ, Lockley MG, Huh M, Hwang KG, Kim JY (2012) Lithographus, an abundant arthropod trackway from the cretaceous haenam tracksite of Korea. Ichnos 19:115–120. doi:10.1080/10420940.2011.625756

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murton JB, Coutard JP, Lautridou JP, Ozouf JC, Robinson DA, Williams RBG (2001) Physical modelling of bedrock brecciation by ice segregation in permafrost. Permafr Periglac 12:255–266. doi:10.1002/ppp.390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson DT, Nicholson FH (2000) Physical deterioration of sedimentary rocks subjected to experimental freeze–thaw weathering. Earth Surf Process Landf 25:1295–1307. doi:10.1002/1096-9837(200011)25:12<1295:AID-ESP138>3.0.CO;2-E

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paik IS, Huh M, Park KH, Hwang KG, Kim KS, Kim HJ (2006) Yeosu dinosaur track sites of Korea: the youngest dinosaur track records in Asia. J Asian Earth Sci 28:457–468. doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2005.11.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park J, Hyun CU, Park HD (2015) Changes in microstructure and physical properties of rocks caused by artificial freeze–thaw action. Bull Eng Geol Environ 74:555–565. doi:10.1007/s10064-014-0630-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potts AS (1970) Frost action in rocks: some experimental data. T I Brit Geogr 49:109–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prick A (1997) Critical degree of saturation as a threshold moisture level in frost weathering of limestones. Permafr Periglac 8:91–99. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-530(199701)8:1<91:AID-PPP238>3.0.CO;2-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz de Argandoña VG, Rodríguez Rey A, Celorio C, Suárez del Río LM, Calleja L, Llavona J (1999) Characterization by computed X-ray tomography of the evolution of the pore structure of a dolomite rock during freeze-thaw cyclic tests. Phys Chem Earth Pt A 24:633–637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saliu M, Lawal AI (2014) Investigations of weathering effects on engineering properties of Supare granite gneiss. J Min World Express 3:53–62. doi:10.14355/mwe.2014.03.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shang Y, Yue Z, Park HD, Hyun CU (2015) Brittle fracture and plastic creep of the completely decomposed granite presented in CT. Geosyst Eng 18:338–347. doi:10.1080/12269328.2015.1075438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen B, Jung YB, Park ES, Kim TK (2015) Modelling the effect of ice swelling in the rock mass around an LNG underground storage cavern using FRACOD. Geosyst Eng 18:181–198. doi:10.1080/12269328.2015.1044575

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomachot C, Matsuoka N (2007) Dilation of building materials submitted to frost action. In: Přikryl R, Smith BJ (eds) Building stone decay: from diagnosis to conservation. Geol Soc, London, pp 167–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Tugrul A, Zarif IH (2000) The influence of weathering on the geological and geomechanical characteristics of a sandstone in Istanbul, Turkey. Environ Eng Geosci 6:403–412. doi:10.2113/gseegeosci.6.4.403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walder JS, Hallet B (1986) The physical basis of frost weathering: toward a more fundamental and unified perspective. Arctic Alp Res 18:27–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiman S (1963) A Preliminary study of experimental frost weathering. Geogr Ann 45:113–121. doi:10.2307/520387

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang SY (1982) On the dinosaur’s footprints from the upper cretaceous gyeongsang group, Korea. J Geol Soc Korea 18:37–48 (in Korean with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MEST; no. 2011-0027520).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Korea

    Jihwan Park & Hyeong-Dong Park

  2. Research Institute of Energy and Resources, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Korea

    Jihwan Park & Hyeong-Dong Park

Authors
  1. Jihwan Park
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hyeong-Dong Park
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hyeong-Dong Park.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Park, J., Park, HD. The effect of frost weathering at the dinosaur tracksite in Seoyu-ri, Hwasun, Korea. Bull Eng Geol Environ 76, 1417–1429 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-016-0970-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-016-0970-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation