Morphological analysis of volcanic cones and its implication to Quaternary tectonics of the Jeju Island (South Korea)

Research on Jeju Volcanic Island reveals that the morphological characteristics of its volcanic cones are influenced by subsurface fractures, which are often concealed beneath layers of volcanic rocks. The study identified two dominant types of Pre-Pleistocene magma-feeding fractures: E-W and NE/ENE-trending, consistent with previously documented tectonic structures. These findings suggest a potential link to the rotation of maximum horizontal stress direction (σHmax), providing critical insights into the island's seismic hazard assessment. To uncover these hidden structures, the study employed morphometric analysis, measuring parameters such as ellipticity, crater diameter, and cone alignment on 152 Quaternary volcanic craters. This approach offers a novel method for inferring subsurface fractures in volcanically active regions like Jeju Island.

Hategekimana, F., Naik, S. P., & Kim, Y.-S. (2024). Morphological analysis of volcanic cones and its implication to Quaternary tectonics of the Jeju Island (South Korea). Quaternary Science Advances, 13, 100169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.qsa.2024.100169